Between accommodation and orchestration: The implementation of the science policy priority for biotechnology in the Netherlands

An Innovation Oriented Program for Biotechnology was established in the Netherlands for the period 1981–1990. Results from a longitudinal evaluation study of the program are presented. Theoretically, our approach has been based on the “implementation structure” theory and the “orchestration-accommodation” implementation strategy theory. The implementation structure was assessed empirically by measuring the commitment of actors in the field to program objectives, and the development of a horizontal network. During the implementation of the program, the orchestrating strategy was exchanged for a more accommodating strategy in a follow-up of the program. This allowed us to compare the effects of both strategies on the formation and development of an implementation structure within one program. A change from an orchestrating implementation strategy to an accommodating strategy slowed down the development of an implementation structure.