Science fiction and the quest for innovation

Abstract

This special issue editorial examines the dynamic and evolving intersection of science fiction (SF) and innovation, spotlighting nine contributions that collectively offer contemporary debates at this crossroads. It shows how SF has transcended its traditional entertainment function to become a significant resource for strategic foresight, ethical deliberation, and organizational creativity. By synthesizing insights from management, cultural studies, design, and psychology, the editorial underscores SF's capacity to illuminate not only technological possibilities but also the social, ethical, and political contexts in which technologies operate. The featured studies detail methods such as diegetic prototyping, speculative design, design fiction, and consumer-created “flash fiction,” illustrating the diverse applications of SF across industries and research domains. They also highlight critical tensions, including the risk of overlooking social justice concerns, the commodification of SF for corporate agendas, and the challenges of ensuring inclusivity in SF-driven innovation processes. Collectively, these contributions argue for the incorporation of SF into interdisciplinary research agendas and organizational practices, stressing that its transformative potential hinges on addressing the ethical, cultural, and power dynamics that shape real-world outcomes. By engaging with both techno-optimistic and critical perspectives, this issue offers a nuanced framework for harnessing SF's creativity and anticipatory depth, advocating a turn toward more equitable, sustainable, and reflective innovation practices.