Foresight in innovation policy: Shared visions for a science park and business-University links in a city region

The paper describes the process and outcomes of an exercise that used the 'success scenario' methodology to develop a shared vision of the future of business-university linkages in the city region of Manchester. The aim was to link the strategies of the four universities in the area (and in particular those of the two research universities that were in the process of merging) with the city's own self-vision of its future as a 'Knowledge Capital'. The resulting report presented a scenario of what success would look like in 2008 in five dimensions: infrastructure, human resources, university missions, inward investment, and networking. The exercise has had a significant impact on regional strategy. The paper considers the design factors involved in gaining this level of action commitment from a foresight activity. © 2005 Taylor & Francis Group Ltd.