Innovation in times of crisis

In his latest journal article 'Innovation in times of crisis: a pragmatic and inclusive approach to cope with urgent global sustainability challenges' in 'Frontiers in Environmental Economics' Philipp Aerni argues that current European mission-oriented innovation policies (MOIPs) with their strong faith in the state as pacesetter of the economy lack a proper understanding of the endogenous nature of economic development. 

Aerni proposes instead a more pragmatic innovation policy approach to accelerate progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) in general, and food security in particular. It combines the target orientation of past US innovation policy missions with the commitment of international crop research networks to mobilize innovation and entrepreneurship for inclusive development. Throughout history, such opportunity-driven approaches proved to be more effective public policy responses to crisis than attempts to minimize systemic risks by limiting growth.

Reference:

Aerni P (2025) Innovation in times of crisis: a pragmatic and inclusive approach to cope with urgent global sustainability challenges. Front. Environ. Econ. 4:1498138. 
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/environmental-economics/articles/10.3389/frevc.2025.1498138/full