Measuring innovation in the bioeconomy - Conceptual discussion and empirical experiences

Innovations in the bioeconomy are expected to provide new solutions to major economic, societal and ecological challenges like resource depletion, food insecurity or climate change. However, information about innovation activities in the bioeconomy and its outcomes is scattered and more systematic measurement efforts are useful for policy making to assess its impact and whether objectives are met. This article provides an overview of information needs and data availability for innovation indicators. Furthermore, data for key input and throughput indicators are presented and discussed for the bioeconomy in Germany. The data indicates a rather strong role of Germany for publications and patents. However, the commercial success remains unclear, because of current limitations in information availability about the output and outcome of innovations efforts. Here, the most critical information gap in exist. In order to improve this situation additional data collection such as innovation survey for the bioeconomy would be needed.