Seite - 70 - in Critical Issues in Science, Technology and Society Studies - Conference Proceedings of the 17th STS Conference Graz 2018

Kneer 2001, 416). Events are bound to the present and are already on the line to the past (Luhmann 1982, 369). Systems are bound to the double contingency in which mutual expectations are raised up (Kneer 2001, 418). The mutual exchange of subsystems is called "interpenetration" (Münch 1994, 288; Bohnen 1994, 300). Münch pointed out the interpenetration of systems as an important criterion and therefore the mechanisms of mutual influence (Zweck 2012, 64). As a result, the focus changes from the inherent dynamics of the subsystems to the consideration of transitions and boundaries and becomes the link between opposing systems (Münch 1994, 388; Zweck 2009, 196). Münch sees interpenetration as an opportunity for systems to achieve a higher level of self-development (Aretz & Lahusen 2005, 16). Future and Innovation Research As a relatively new science in Germany, Future and Innovation Research aims to develop a suitable set of instruments for systematic research of the future. The aim is to allow future-related statements to be made about circumstances and framework conditions that are as precisely defined as possible (Zweck2012, 61). In contrast to other sub-areas of social science, scientists in Future and Innovation Research have a professional and scientific interest in the future (Schüll 2009, 223; Steinmüller 2012, 7). The scientific system has a special role to play here, because statements about the future can be made within a limited scope through the generation of specific knowledge and knowledge gain, the identification of comprehensible connections and the dissemination of (scientific) results (Grunwald 2013, 22; Zweck 2010, 52). Academic Future and Innovation Research uses this fact by taking up findings from various disciplines and bringing them together with a focus on findings relating to specific future issues (Zweck 2010, 53; Graf 2003, 357). This leads Zweck (2010) to the assumption that the present and current state of various fields and disciplines is decisive for the conduct of Future and Innovation Research. In other words: "Whoever wants to talk about the future must know about the present" (Zweck 2010, 53). Both the interdisciplinary aspect within Future and Innovation Research and an exact research of past and present leads Zweck to his second thesis: Future research must always create a starting point before it answers future-relevant questions, and thus bears a double burden (Zweck 2012, 72). The identification of essential issues, relevant influencing factors and the design of a present image form the starting point for future research activities (Zweck 2010, 53; 2014, 19). In the approach of this paper this present image should be established by methods of the Industrial Engineering discipline, as explained later. Relevant questions beyond the scientific disciplines arise primarily from economy and politics, and from society itself. Due to the fact that Future and Innovation Research is still at the beginning of becoming a discipline (Zweck 2012, 65), the process of differentiation from other disciplines, characterized by specific needs from the community system – the political and economic system – is not yet complete (Zweck 2012, 65). The aim of Future and Innovation Research is therefore to develop a set of instruments, which can be used to capture defined facts and framework conditions of future-related questions as precisely as possible (Zweck 2012, 61). In this context, Zweck suggests a classification into a theory of innovation-accompanying measures. The triad consisting of technology forecasting, foresight and technology assessment is to be mentioned here (Zweck 2012, 63, 2013). This creates a starting point for future research as the sum of toolboxes that are already institutionalised and proven in practice (ibid.). At the same time, questions are made concrete that limit the variety of possible subjects of 70