A methodology for identifying results and impacts in technological innovation projects

Abstract As investments in policies and projects in science, technology, and innovation (STI) grow, it becomes increasingly important to determine the benefits society receives in return for the public resources thus invested. However, existing methodologies are somewhat limited in scope as they do not possess mechanisms for correctly identifying non-measurable, indirect results and impacts. This study addresses these knowledge shortcomings, and it proposes and validates an alternative method to identify the social, environmental, and economic outcomes and indirect impacts of STI projects. Findings indicate that the proposed method helps fills the gaps in knowledge about ex-post methodologies used to evaluate indirect results and impacts in STI projects. One aspect that sets the proposed method apart from the existing approaches is that it contemplates a wide range of analytical categories of indirect impacts for assessing the effects of STI projects. The principal academic and practical contribution of this study is the development of an accessible artifact that can identify the results and indirect impacts of projects in diverse areas of STI. The study extends the understanding on the methodologies to identifying results and indirect impacts of STI projects.