Collaborative foresight: Major research trajectories and future research agenda
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Collaborative foresight is increasingly recognized as an important tool for anticipating and shaping the future through engagement with diverse stakeholders. While academic interest in the topic has grown, highlighting its significance, the field remains fragmented. Literature on collaborative foresight is characterized by varying definitions, multiple theoretical foundations, and diverse methodological approaches. This study conducts a bibliometric review to structure the field of collaborative foresight studies, identifying four central research trajectories: (1) Collaboration in Technology Foresight, (2) Collaboration in Scenario Planning, (3) Open Foresight, and (4) Collaboration in Anticipatory Governance. Based on this structured analysis, we identify key research gaps, including the absence of a widely accepted definition of collaborative foresight, weak linkages to ecosystem and strategic management theories, and a lack of structured impact assessments to measure the long-term benefits of collaborative foresight. To address these gaps, we propose a research agenda emphasizing the development of robust theoretical foundations, stronger connections to strategic decision-making, and methodological improvements to enhance the practice and impact of collaborative foresight.
Source: Futures
Authors: Jaakko Paasi, Katri Valkokari, Arho Suominen
Institution: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
Language: English
Subfield: Information Systems
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,370
OpenAlex ID: W7127609130