The Unit for Science, Technology and Innovation Studies (TaSTI) at the Institute for Social Science (University of Tampere) comprises of two previously separate research groups: Science Studies UNIT (est.) at the Research Institute for Social Sciences and the Research Group for Innovation Systems and Organizational Learning (est. 1996) at the Work Research Centre. The integration of the two groups in 2002 was based on long cooperation.

Issues related to science, technology and innovations have become central due to information society development and economic globalization. The central questions guiding research at the unit are: How does societal change affect the functioning of science and technological systems? How has science, technology and innovation policy changed and influenced the development of different areas of society. How do research and innovation systems themselves change including institutional structures and organizational forms?

The research unit conducts empirical and theoretical research on these questions. The research benefits both academic and non-academic audiences in Finland as well as abroad.

The research interests of the group cover the following areas:

• Science, technology and innovation systems and policy
• Activities and development of universities and other research communities,
• Innovation activities and organizational restructuring of firms

These themes are studied on the basis of a multi-theoretical approach including organizational learning, institutional change, evolutionary economics and systems theory among others. The unit has been involved in a number of national and international projects. The unit provides post-graduate training in the area and develops teaching for undergraduate students.