Foresight for restructuring R&D systems

The role of foresight for supporting strategic planning is subject of debate at international level: on the one hand the classic functions of foresight do not go further than simply informing the policy makers, and on the other hand a growing number of foresight exercises with explicit planning objectives are carried around the world. Based on empirical evidence regarding the recent national exercises in the field of science and technology (S&T), as described by the resumes of the European Foresight Monitoring Network, and on in-depth analysis of the Romanian S&T foresight exercise, the paper explores the relevance of the adaptive foresight framework for the extension of foresight functions towards supporting strategic planning. The demand for policy relevant foresight in S&T seems to be stronger in countries with developing knowledge based economies (e.g. new EU member states, Turkey); while in countries with larger foresight tradition the push comes from the improving abilities of foresight practitioners in involving decision-makers. Strongly integrated into strategic planning, the Romanian S&T foresight shows the adaptability characteristics in a restructuring R&D system and further suggests the relevance of multi-level negotiations for transforming consensus into commitment.