Integrated Policy Package Assessment (IPPA): A Problem-Oriented Research Approach for Sustainability Transformations

In this paper, we present the Integrated Policy Package Assessment (IPPA) approach and relate IPPA to three substantial concepts of problem-oriented research concerned with societal transformations: technology assessment (TA), sustainability research (SR), and responsible research and innovation (RRI). The IPPA approach provides (political) decision-makers with transformation and orientation knowledge via a four-step process of (1) design, (2) analysis, (3) evaluation, and (4) discourse of a policy package assessment. It is illustrated with a case study of urban passenger transport. As an integrated approach, IPPA has substantial ties to TA, SR, and RRI. It connects with TA in fundamental ways, since it combines the field of TA with the field of regulatory assessment based on consequence analysis. Connectable to the field of SR, IPPA addresses deliberation processes and sustainable pathway identification based on multi-criteria assessment. In addition, akin to the area of RRI, IPPA shows cross-cutting axes with regards to social resonance assessment and stakeholder evaluation with a focus on multi-actor responsibilities. In this contribution, we link evidence-based impact assessment with transformation pathway mechanisms and corresponding policy packages, backed by stakeholder-based responsible innovation feedback loops. This enhances the ex-ante analysis of policy packages regarding their intended as well as unintended consequences.

Automated summary

This paper introduces the Integrated Policy Package Assessment (IPPA) approach and its relation to technology assessment (TA), sustainability research (SR), and responsible research and innovation (RRI). The IPPA approach provides decision-makers with knowledge on societal transformations through a four-step process and is illustrated with a case study on urban passenger transport. IPPA has substantial ties to TA, SR, and RRI, combining field of TA and regulatory assessment, addressing deliberation processes and sustainable pathways based on multi-criteria assessment, and considering social resonance assessment and stakeholder evaluation. The paper enhances the analysis of policy packages by linking evidence-based impact assessment with transformation pathway mechanisms.