Changing views of innovation and the role of science. The 'socio-technical root system' as a tool for identifying relevant cross-disciplinary research questions

摘要: This paper reflects critically on the role that natural and social scientists may play in innovation processes towards sustainable farming systems. The emphasis is not so much ‘assessment tools’ for sustainability, but rather tools improving cross-disciplinary socio-technical problem analysis interactive trajectories. with purpose of arriving at more relevant better co-ordinated research agendas across disciplines, enhanced learning, adequate diagnosis policy interventions. First, discusses several shifts regard to conceptual understanding innovations processes. Subsequently, it argued need be supported communicatively context are network building, learning conflict management. Thirdly, implications this mode thinking scientists. It proposed a key explicate implicit assumptions, claims knowledge gaps processes, engage collaborative societal stakeholders coherent set science questions. third part specific methodical approach making analysis, aimed integrating explicating insights from scientists, stakeholders.