Purpose – This paper seeks to evaluate future studies in order to improve futures research. Design/methodology/approach – Case studies were researched. Findings – The current study of the future carried out by the Dutch Innovation Platform (responsible for innovation policy) resembles an...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how Dutch society is dealing with its history and why the past is a bad guide to the future. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a desk research based on newspaper articles and other literature. Findings – The paper finds that...

Purpose – This paper aims to describe three major difficulties with dealing with the future. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is an essay with limited use of literature. Findings – Looking to the future is difficult due to cognitive, social, business problems. Research...

Purpose – An uncertain future means that Dutch government ministries need to think about not only what new policies have to be developed, but also how to organize themselves in the future. This paper aims to present an overview and analysis of various studies of the futures by and about Dutch...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the future‐orientation of the Dutch innovation system and formulate recommendations to improve it. Design/methodology/approach – The approach takes the form of in‐depth interviews with Dutch experts who are sufficiently independent to...