Suchergebnisse

PurposeThe paper aims to explore the gap between theory and practice in foresight and to give some suggestions on how to reduce it.Design/methodology/approachAnalysis of practical foresight activities and suggestions are based on a literature review, the author's own research and practice in the field of foresight and futures studies, and her participation in the work of a European project (COST A22).FindingsTwo different types of practical foresight activities have developed. One of them, the practice of foresight of critical futures studies (FCFS) is an application of a theory of futures studies. The other, termed here as praxis foresight (PF), has no theoretical basis and responds directly to practical needs. At present a gap can be perceived between theory and practice. PF distinguishes itself from the practice and theory of FCFS and narrows the construction space of futures. Neither FCFS nor PF deals with content issues of the outer world. Reducing the gap depends on renewal of joint discourses and research about experience of different practical foresight activities and manageability of complex dynamics in foresight. Production and feedback of self‐reflective and reflective foresight knowledge could improve theory and practice.Originality/valueContemporary practical foresight activities are analysed and suggestions to reduce the gap are developed in the context of the linkage between theory and practice. This paper is thought provoking for futurists, foresight managers and university researchers.

In Hungary, the collapse of the authoritarian society has made the author see that the future means not only what will eventually materialize but also the human consciousness and psychic content that people today have of the future, which affects their activities in the present and thus the future itself. At present, the author's main fields of interest include a redefinition of the notion of the future, further developments in methodological investigation, and elaboration of possible futures amid circumstances of instability and teaching futures research. Would-be specialists in futures research should be trained so as to be able to apply a wide variety of different methods to help people and social institutions develop their future-orientations and invent their own futures.

This article presents a case study of futures studies in Hungary. There had been two stages of development: the first had seen the vertical deepening and horizontal expansion of the field, whereas the second can be described as theoretical and methodological renewal as well as broadening relationships to the practice. International impacts and linkages have been important throughout, but local contextual factors and specific opportunities also played their role to place Hungarian futures studies on the global map of the discipline.