The analysis of the research reports

The analysis of the research reports 2012 (BMBF 2012) and 2014 (BMBF 2014) was focused on Germany’s research, education and innovation policy during the post-crisis phase. According to the literature review results, it seemed advisable to examine the research, the education and the innovation policy also in the context of European initiatives and long-term developments. The initial literature review in that context showed that one of the most important subjects of innovation policy in Germany is associated with the introduction of the so-called Hightech- Strategy in 2006. This innovation strategy was modified in 2010, and thus at the beginning of the post-crisis phase (see section 4.5). This part of the text analysis was therefore focused on

changes in Germany’s innovation policy during the post-crisis phase, and the specification of the respective innovation policy.

In order to classify the specific type of innovation policy, the literature refers to different innovation political concepts. In that context, the core concepts behind innovation policy are the so-called market-based innovation policy on the one hand and the intervention-based innovation policy on the other hand. The main difference of these concepts is the more restrained strategy in the case of market related policy and the more on influence and involvement focused strategy of intervention-based policy. The latter concept is based on the assumption that innovation processes would be variable and flexible. Therefore, innovation processes could be aligned on society’s needs by means of an active innovation policy. This concept applies both hard and soft instruments of innovation political measures to increase society’s welfare and to settle disadvantages. Moreover, this concept follows more long-term aims whose achievement are supported by methods of technical progress and effect analyses. The market related concept is based on the assumption that innovation processes would be dependent on market’s demand and profitability decisions. Therefore, innovation is regarded as not controllable and political instruments are applied to ensure a positive innovation climate, to support the technology transfer, and the expansion of both technical and scientific infrastructure. Even though this concept basically relies on market mechanisms, it is also concerned with the public support of basic research due to existing market gaps. Nevertheless, innovation political instruments (see glossary) are only applied from time to time and in dependence on market requirements. Therefore, technical progress and effect analyses are of rather no relevance, as is the achievement of consensus between policy decision makers and the society (Welsch 2005).

The underlying research reports 2012 (BMBF 2012) and 2014 (BMBF 2014) are each structured in three different parts. Part two of the research reports is, moreover, divided into different sub- parts (see table 27 in section 5.6.1). In order to examine the development and changes in Germany’s research and innovation policy, this part of the content analysis was each focused on part one regarding the innovation political aims and measures of the government. Moreover, the analysis was focused on part two and sub-part B regarding the research and innovation policy on the federal level. This sub-part B also includes a separate section regarding technology funding on the federal level. Hence, sub-part A, C and D in part two and also part three of the reports were not examined. The facts and figures in sub-part E of chapter two were taken into account in case the indications support the analysis process.

The analysis was initially based on the following guiding questions (see subsequent table 36) in order to structure the text in a first attempt (Kempf 2008).

The guiding questions for the research reports

No. Guiding question Code

1. Indications regarding research, education and innovation policy? 01

2. Indications regarding the Hightech-Strategy? 02

3. Indications regarding public funding in Germany? 03

Table 36 The guiding questions for the research reports (own development)

This procedure initially structured the text along these main subjects. Due to the extent of the research reports, the analysis was supported by the application of Adobe reader’s search function. The more sophisticated search function of the Adobe reader was suitable to highlight the relevant text phrases in the context of each subject. These highlighted text phrases were coded along the guiding questions (see table 36) and summarised under each question. The smallest code unit was one paragraph and the biggest code unit was one text section. The initial summary was further reviewed along a more detailed category system (see subsequent table 37).

The category system for the research reports

No. Examination category Code

1. Central research, education and innovation political measures. 01

2. Priorities of Germany’s research, education and innovation policy. 02A

3. Core elements of the Hightech-Strategy 2020. 02B

4. Public funding in Germany for SMEs. 03A

5. Public funding in Germany for innovation projects. 03B

6. Research subsidy ZIM. 03C

7. Research subsidy KMU-innovativ. 03D

5C

8. Public funding in Germany for enterprise founding. 03E

9. Public funding in Germany for equity investments. 03F

Table 37 The category system for the research reports (own development)

The coded text phrases were summarised according to Mayring (2010) which means that double indications and meaningless text phrases were deleted. Unclear text phrases or particular terms were specified in greater detail by explication. The indications in the tables, the diagrammes, the figures and in the colour-coded boxes were also coded along the category system. These

indications were integrated in the summary, in case they supplemented the initial findings. Funding measures which are concerned with Germany’s eastern part, development political measures, the funding of enterprise founding in the scientific environment and every type of advisory grant were overall not taken into account.

The subsequent table 38 describes the application of the category system on part one in the research report 2012 (BMBF 2012).

Example IV of category systems application

Section Extent Page Subject Code

Section 1 Paragraph 5 22 Four research and innovation priorities. 02A

Section 2 Figure 4 23 The Hightech-Strategy: Future projects and demand.

areas.

02B

Section 2 Sub-heading 24 Future projects. 02B

Section 2 Infobox 24+25 Future projects of the government. 02B

Section 3 Section 32+34 Strengthening sciences. 02A

Section 3 Infobox 33 The three reform initiatives. 02A

Table 38 Example IV of category systems application (own development)