Measuring the outcomes and impacts of innovation interventions: assessing the role of additionality

Additionality is a main technique in the evaluation of innovation, yet there is debate on the theoretical basis, and appropriate application of the technique, when measuring value for money and economic impact. This paper assesses additionality in measuring the outcomes and impacts of innovation interventions, describing the development and use of additionality, and presenting an organising framework. A review is made of the use of the method across a number of micro-evaluations of regional policy interventions, and a series of innovation-related programmes within a regional development agency. The review confirms limitations of the technique in theory and current practice, but using a standardised approach, demonstrates the potential role of the technique in identifying the relative benefits of R&D interventions, and as such, providing a valid contribution to the evidence base informing innovation policy and practice.