Quality Of Data, Information And Knowledge In Technology Foresight Processes

Futures research means observation and understanding of today’s operational environment as well as identification and positioning of future opportunities. Lots of technology foresight and assessment initiatives are being made, probably in virtually all countries of the world. Articles concerning foresight rarely include assessments of what kind of materials they are based on. If they do, descriptions are general by nature, and there is no assessment of their real usability and applicability. Quality of results is not assessed in detail − not to mention quality of foresight-related data, information and knowledge more generally. This paper discusses ways in which data, information and knowledge quality considerations are related to technology foresight processes. They are illustrated by means of evaluating results of an empirical case study: a technology foresight survey undertaken in Finland in the summer of 2005. The research responds to arising societal and academic interest by combining the fields of (i) futures research and (ii) data, information and knowledge quality. Future-oriented considerations are not routine tasks, and it is especially challenging and important to ensure that these processes benefit from data, information and knowledge of good quality. The paper also outlines further research that should be done if foresight processes are to utilize and produce good quality data, information and knowledge.