The mass media as actors in innovation systems: Their relevance for high-tech policy decisions

Waldherr A.

Research article (book contribution)

Abstract

This chapter aims at a conceptual clarification of mass media's influence on high-tech policy decisions. It deals with two major questions: (1) Do the mass media matter for innovation policy and thus also for high-tech policy? (2) Are the media interested in high-tech policy as a central field in innovation policy? The questions are answered theoretically in the following steps: First, it is argued that the mass media play an important role as actors in innovation systems and therefore are also relevant for high-tech policy decisions. The argument focuses on three different perspectives: processes, functions and structures in innovation systems. Second, factors influencing the activity level of media discourse are drawn from agenda-building and news selection theories. News values of innovation policy and high technologies are identified as important preconditions for the activity level of media discourse. The chapter concludes with proposing a theoretical framework integrating the interplaying factors.

Details zur Publikation

Publisher: Bauer Johannes M., Lang Achim, Schneider Volker
Book title: Innovation Policy and Governance in High-Tech Industries: The Complexity of Coordination
Pages: 24
Release year: 2012
Publishing company: Springer
ISBN: 9783642125621
Language in which the publication is written: English
Event: Berlin
Link to the full text: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=84955679417&origin=inward