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Science and technology organisations are increasingly held accountable for addressing global challenges. When such organisations attempt to tackle the “wicked” problems of poverty, hunger, environmental degradation, or climate change, they tend to adopt a classical paradigm or “Western science” approach and run the risk of intensifying or generating new problems. In this chapter, we argue that wicked problems have a better chance of being addressed when such organisations draw on a broader range of worldviews and approaches. The chapter provides a New Zealand exemplar of an inclusive endeavour, whereby an organisation strategically implements an indigenous innovation policy into its core science and technology activities. While the case is singular, there are few empirical models of how inclusive policies operate in science and technology organisations, particularly when such science is upstream or at the ideation phase. This longitudinal study offers pointers that other science organisations may find both useful and inspirational.

The purpose of this chapter is to present a new concept of sustainable innovation and offer analysis and constructive ideas regarding the relevance of innovation for solving wicked problems. The drivers of innovation are changing. As a result innovation policies and processes all over the world need new approaches to tap into the undiscovered innovation potential. By reviewing the literature and examples from today's innovative practices and policies we explore the transition of the concept of innovation from technological and economically measured innovation towards sustainable innovation. The concept is defined by impact orientation and systemic and inclusive approach. Sustainable innovation means innovation that balances the long-term influences of the process and the output with the needs of people, societies, the economy and the environment. In addition, sustainable innovation democratses innovation as it aims at including all people.