An actor-oriented perspective on innovation systems: Functional analysis of drivers and barriers to innovation and technology adoption in the mining sector

Abstract

Technology developers are key actors in an innovation system. Applying the technological innovation systems perspective as an analytical framework, our study unpacks drivers and barriers to technology development, adoption and diffusion in an innovation system and relates these to firm-level innovation processes. We approach this by situating our enquiry at the intersection of system- and firm-level perspectives. Based on case study data, our research highlights drivers and barriers prevailing in the mining innovation system affecting technology developers and establishes links to key innovation processes relevant to these firms. We complement these findings with insights into strategies firms employ to mitigate or overcome barriers identified, with the potential to positively affect innovation processes at the firm level. We argue that enablers and barriers to innovation encountered by firms have their effect by affording or impeding opportunities for firms to undertake the innovation processes required to attain technological innovation outcomes.