Normative criteria to evaluate innovations : the test of the pandemic

The study is to show how value preferences specify criteria to evaluate solutions for the 2020 pandemic crisis. These preferences reflect in normative assumptions. We are going to analyse examples of solutions and their divergent evaluations according to normative assumptions in some canonical moral theories. These analyses show that the choice of normative assumptions and their precise definition is an essential part of the innovation management methodology. The study presents their three roles as follows: the normative assumptions specify the directions of innovation management, determine the criteria to evaluate projects and play a significant role in communicating the innovation policies. Although these premises do not have and cannot have scientific justification, their choice should not be accidental or arbitrary. The study is to be an opportunity to rethink various normative assumptions and discuss their impact on the practice of innovation management.