Knowledge-Based Innovations and Social Coordination

Abstract

Three themes have been central to my research program: (1) the dynamics of science, tech-nology, and innovation; (2) the scientometric operationalization and measurement of these dynamics; and (3) the Triple Helix (TH) of university-industry-government relations. In this introductory chapter, I relate these three themes first from an autobiographical perspective to ( i)) Luhmann’s sociological theory about meaning-processing in communications with ( ii) information-theoretical operationalizations of the possible synergies in Triple-Helix relations, and with ( iii) anticipation as a selection mechanism in cultural evolutions different from “natural selection.” Interacting selection mechanisms can drive the development of redundancy; that is, options that are available, but have not yet been used. An increasing number of options is crucial for the viability of innovation systems more than is past performance. A calculus of redundancy different from and complementary to information calculus is envisaged.