Developing a multi-disciplinary understanding of the diffusion of eco-innovations: lessons from behavioural, business and transition studies' perspectives for the adoption of solar energy technology in Lebanon

Abstract

Adoption of technologies is multi-dimensional in nature, showing that multiple dimensions shape the diffusion of innovation. This study seeks to analyze the factors related to the consumer (namely behavioural, social, and cultural dimensions) and the market in which the uptake and development of technologies takes place. The geographical focus of this dissertation is Lebanon, which was selected as an illustrative case of a developing country context. This selection was based on the idea that diffusion of technologies is influenced by the context in which it is situated. As such, the research focuses on the adoption on two solar energy technologies; i.e, solar thermal and PV systems. This dissertation is divided into four empirical studies that aim to answer the research questions developed to fulfill the objective of this research. The studies were conducted to understand how concepts from multiple disciplines help policy makers and market strategists to overcome ongoing challenges for the adoption of solar energy technologies. The results are based on a combination of both qualitative and quantitative methods, including 30 in-depth interviews with different groups of stakeholders; namely national government institutes, NGOs, banks, contractors, consultants, the public sector and end users, and a survey among 200 households in the Metn neighbourhood in Lebanon.