Introduction. Systems and Innovation Research in Transition

It has become a commonplace that in order to tackle the enormous societal challenges we face throughout the globe we have to support transformation; and in order to do so, we have to mobilise innovation. As innovation and transformation are strongly intertwined, it is thus imperative essential to analyse and support their interplay. This volume reflects on nine selected research fields in the area of systems and innovation research that have developed in the last five decades to do exactly that. It defines and delineates systems and innovation research as encompassing the scientific study of the conditions, dynamics and impacts associated with the generation and uptake of innovations and the development and transformation of functional systems satisfying essential needs such as the provision of energy or water. This allows to draw general lessons as to what drives research fields throughout their development and how their role - in particular vis-à-vis policy - changes over time. It also allows to speculate about future challenges and trends in the area of systems and innovation research. This is important because, if anything, the need to govern transformation through innovation will further grow in the future and with it the need to understand the underlying dynamics.