YIRCoF ’09 – Yeditepe International Research Conference on Foresight: Methodological Issues in Foresight Studies

Citation

Gol Beser, S. (2011), "YIRCoF ’09 – Yeditepe International Research Conference on Foresight: Methodological Issues in Foresight Studies", Foresight, Vol. 13 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/fs.2011.27313baa.001

YIRCoF ’09 – Yeditepe International Research Conference on Foresight: Methodological Issues in Foresight Studies

Article Type: Editorial From: foresight, Volume 13, Issue 2

Senem Göl Beer

We are very delighted and honored to present the special issue of foresight on “Methodological Issues in Foresight Studies”, derived from papers presented at YIRCoF ’09 (Yeditepe International Research Conference on Foresight) in Istanbul between September 4-6, 2009.

Papers published in this special issue are designed to communicate on challenging problems related to methodological issues in national, regional, sectoral and corporate foresight studies. The papers also aim to provide an invaluable opportunity for drawing upon the experience gained from foresight exercises via new research methodologies. ‘Cause once lost, future is very difficult to retrieve!”

The issue begins with the article “Towards a methodological approach: Theorising scenario thinking as a social practice” by David Sarpong. The paper draws on the social theory of practice to show scenario thinking as an everyday practice and how the practice could be theorised at the meso-level.

The role of foresight in government is examined in “Integrating foresight into government: is it possible? Is it likely?” by Knut Erik Solem. The relationship between foresight and planning is discussed while some prescriptions and recommendations are offered.

“Ready for the future? Universities’ capabilities to strategically manage their intellectual capital” by Susana Elena-Pérez, Ozcan Saritas, Katja Pook and Campbell Warden explores the possibilities of combining foresight techniques and intellectual capital management in higher education institutions.

Two articles are focused on corporate foresight: “Assessment of corporate foresight project results – case of a multinational company in Turkey” by M. Atilla Öner, Senem Göl Beer, and “Managers’ foresight matters” by Martin Amsteus.

The first one aims to provide an assessment of the level of the reported success of foresight project results of a multinational company in Turkey. The model is based on an integrated framework in order to facilitate better conversion of their results into actual changes in corporations.

The latter provides empirical evidence for the theoretical relationship between managerial foresight and firm performance where managers’ foresight appears to impact firm performance.

The issue concludes with Jack Smith and OzcanSaritas, “Science and technology foresight baker’s dozen: a pocket primer of comparative and combined foresight methods” where the article aims to fill a perceived gap in the tool bag of a recent or novice foresight practitioner.

In its first iteration, YIRCoF 2009 has definitely contributed positively to the volume of knowledge flow in the world, possibly leading to joint national/international research projects.

We hope to see you at YIRCoF ’11 with the theme of “Theory building in foresight and futures studies” in Istanbul on August 24-26, 2011. Enjoy reading the special issue.

Cordially,

Senem Gol Beser