Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy

Abstract This article is about what governments have done and could do to promote the production, diffusion, and use of scientific and technical knowledge in order to realize national objectives. This article begins with “story-telling” based on sketchy historical facts. The aim of the two stories is to illustrate that innovation policy covers a wide set of issues that have been on the agenda far back in history while still remaining important today. Furthermore, this article moves on to sketch the history of innovation policy, splitting it up into the three ideal types: science, technology, and innovation policy. It uses the documents from Organization for Economic and Co-operation Development and other sources to do so. Finally, it points to future challenges, and highlight research opportunities.