[4][5] His early contributions to the 'public procurement for innovation' literature are among his most cited works to date.

In 1987 Edquist was appointed professor of technology and social change at Linköping University.

He has also worked at UC Berkeley (1973–74 and 1991–92), SPRU (Sussex), CRIC (Manchester), ISEG (Lisbon) and IFRIS (Paris) from Oct 2011 to May 2012.

His work has influenced innovation policy and strategy in Sweden and Europe, a result of his stints as an advisor, on various occasions and durations, to governments, international organizations and firms including the OECD, UNIDO, EU, UNCTAD, ILO, UNDP, UNESCO, and the Finnish Government; Swedish organizations such as VINNOVA, Nutek, and the Ministry of Industries; and firms such as SAAB Aerospace, Astra-Zeneca, Volvo Trucks, and Sweco Eurofutures.

In September 2013 his paper with Prof. Susana Borrás received the best paper award at the biannual conference at the Atlanta Conference on Science & Innovation Policy (http://www.atlantaconference.org/), at The Georgia Institute of Technology.

[8][9] The Council consists of 5 government ministers and 10 external members from different sectors of society.