The world-wide diffusion and recognition of Technology Foresight suggests that it is of value for quite diverse types of economies and societies. Its merit as an important tool of strategic intelligence for policy-making also in small countries and transition economies depends on a careful tailoring to specific needs. Practice of Foresight is rather diverse also among small countries, but approaches tend to be more selective in scope, have more specific goals, and put greater emphasis on demand aspects than in bigger countries. Austria’s first systematic Foresight programme (completed in 1998) is an example of an innovative approach adapted to the needs of a small country. This contribution shows how “Delphi Austria” was tailored to a small economy which had undergone a successful catch-up process and how the Foresight process as well as its results have been utilised. The specific goals of Delphi Austria and its approach are explained as a selective, demand-, problem-, and application-oriented Foresight exercise with a number of innovative elements. It has been built on a series of preparatory studies, expert panels, and two parallel large-scale Delphi exercises: a Technology Delphi in conjunction with a Society and Culture Delphi. Experiences with some other innovative elements are outlined: the modification of the classical Delphi towards a decision Delphi; a broader definition of the expert base; the focus on technological as well as organisational innovations; a higher degree of “finalisation” of measures; and the application of a so-called “mega-trends section” in a multiple function. The focus of the Austrian Technology Delphi has been on the following subject areas: Tailor-made New Materials (focus on metals); Production and Processing of Organic Food; Environmentally Sound Construction and New Forms of Housing; Lifelong Learning; Medical Technologies and Supportive Technologies for the Elderly; Cleaner Production and Sustainable Development; Mobilit

Die Delphi-Methode ist im Kern ein relativ stark strukturierter Gruppenkommunikationsprozess, in dem Fachleute Sachverhalte beurteilen, über die naturgemäß unsicheres und unvollständiges Wissen vorhanden ist. Das ExpertInnen-Delphi hat unter anderem einen festen Platz im Rahmen von weltweit an Bedeutung gewinnenden Technology Foresight Projekten. Der Beitrag legt methodische Grundlagen dar und illustriert seine Anwendung am Beispiel des österreichischen Technologie-Delphi. Zum innovativen Ansatz des Projekts und des Einsatzes der Delphi-Methode gehören folgende Hauptelemente: der auf die spezifische Situation Österreichs zugeschnittene Vorausschau-Ansatz (selektiv, nachfrage-, problem- und umsetzungsorientiert); die Modifikation des klassischen Delphi zu einem „Entscheidungs-Delphi“; eine breitere Definition der ExpertInnenbasis; sowie die Orientierung an der „Total Design Methode“ für postalische Umfragen. Die Umsetzung dieser Designelemente und ihr Beitrag zum erzielten Response werden diskutiert, anhand einiger Gütekriterien belegt und mit einem Blick auf den Verwertungszusammenhang des Technologie-Delphi abgerundet.
The Delphi method is basically a structured group process through which experts assess issues on which knowledge is uncertain and imperfect by nature. Delphi procedures are applied among others in the worldwide expanding field of Technology Foresight. The paper explains basic elements of the method and illustrates its use within the Austrian Technology Delphi. The innovative character of this application case is constituted by the following key features: a Foresight approach tailored to country-specific needs (selective, demand-, problem- and implementation-oriented); modification of the classical Delphi towards a ?Decision Delphi?; broader definition of relevant experts; and use of the ?Total Design Method? in the postal survey. The contribution elaborates on the translation of these design elements as well as on effects on response rates and

The world-wide diffusion and recognition of Technology Foresight suggests that it is of value for quite diverse types of economies and societies. Austria’s first systematic Foresight programme completed in 1998 is an example of an innovative approach tailored to the needs of a small country. This contribution shows how “Delphi Austria” was tailored to a small economy which had undergone a successful catch-up process and how the Foresight process as well as its results have been utilised. The specific goals of Delphi Austria and its approach are explained as a selective, demand-, problem-, and application-oriented Foresight exercise with a number of innovative elements. In addition to this, it is shown which impacts the results of Delphi Austria have had in research and technology policy.