Nordic hydrogen energy foresight - challenges of managing the interactive process

The paper discusses the managerial challenges of the Nordic Hydrogen Energy Foresight, a joint effort of the five Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden). Interaction between research, industry and government, and combination ofjudgmental and formal procedures, were essential features of the project. The foresight process included a series of interactive workshops, supported by systems analysis and assessment of technical developments. The project partners and others interestedin the topic were linked by an informative project website. The aim of the project was to provide decision support for companies and research institutes in defining their R&D priorities and to assist governmental decisionmakers in making effectiveframework policies for successful introduction of hydrogen energy. Development of Nordic networks to gain the required critical mass in wider international contexts was considered equally important. The overall intention was to contribute to the strategicintelligence of the Nordic knowledge region in issues related to wellbeing and sustainable developments. The paper examines the rationale behind the project design and the contribution of the various steps of the project in the light of a dynamic model ofshared knowledge creation. In particular, the ways in which the design and the methodological tools facilitated the process and its management are discussed. Some suggestions for forthcoming foresight exercises are also presented.