Developing a Model of Cognitive Capabilities Required for Science an‎d Technology Policymakers

10/7/2026 12:00:00 AM

Research Objective: In the present era, science, technology, an‎d innovation play a key role in the economic an‎d social development of countries. Policymakers in this field, through strategic decision-making an‎d guiding innovation, directly influence economic growth, technological development, an‎d the international stan‎ding of their countries. Given the increasing complexity of science an‎d technology policymaking, identifying an‎d enhancing the cognitive capabilities of policymakers is essential for effective governance. Accordingly, the present study aims to develop a comprehensive model of the cognitive capabilities required by policymakers in the field of science, technology, an‎d innovation. Research Methodology: This study employed a mixed-methods approach, conducted in three sequential phases. In the first phase, following Glaser’s grounded theory, data from 18 semi-structured interviews with national experts in science an‎d technology policymaking were analyzed to extract the foundational concepts an‎d core categories of policymakers’ cognitive capabilities. Open, axial, an‎d selec‎tive coding were conducted iteratively, an‎d through constant comparison an‎d theoretical saturation, an initial conceptual framework was developed. In the second phase, causal relationships among the capabilities were examined using the DEMATEL method, an‎d their hierarchical structure was identified through interpretive structural modeling, with active participation from a group of experts to determine the influence an‎d interdependence among components. In the third phase, the model derived from the previous stages was empirically validated using structural equation modeling, based on questionnaire data collected from 123 managers an‎d policymakers active in the field of science an‎d technology governance. Research Findings: The findings identified ten critical capabilities: cognitive leadership in STI governance with emphasis on collective intelligence, strategic socio-emotional intelligence, innovation value chain leadership, governance capability an‎d institutional literacy, adaptive cognitive capability, integration of intuition an‎d analysis in policy risk, social meaning-making an‎d reflective analysis, evidence-based strategic foresight, systematic policy design, an‎d cognitive architectures for policy reasoning. These capabilities were grouped into three interrelated levels—individual, specialized, an‎d social. The ISM–DEMATEL analysis highlighted systematic policy design an‎d cognitive architectures as foundational enablers, while adaptive capability emerged as the pivotal mediator linking foresight, socio-emotional intelligence, an‎d risk judgment to higher-order capacities. Reflective analysis an‎d social meaning-making were identified as bridging capabilities, ultimately leading to leadership capabilities at the apex of the hierarchy. Conclusion: The ISM–DEMATEL results indicated that systematic policy design an‎d cognitive architectures play a fundamental driving role, while institutional literacy an‎d innovation value chain leadership exhibit the highest dependency. Moreover, SEM results highlighted the pivotal role of adaptive cognitive capability as an intermediary, an‎d the function of social meaning-making as a bridge connecting adaptive capability to leadership. Ultimately, successful science an‎d technology governance requires the gradual an‎d integrated development of cognitive capabilities from foundational to leadership levels, ensuring not only policy effectiveness but also social legitimacy an‎d sustainability.

قابليت‌هاي شناختي , سياست‌گذاري علم، فناوري و نوآوري , قابليت‌هاي فردي , قابليت‌هاي تخصصي , قابليت‌هاي اجتماعي

Cognitive Capabilities , STI policymaking , Individual Capabilities , Specialized Capabilities , Social Capabilities

Zohreh Moghiseh

Ali Bonyadi Naeini