Innovations In Transport Sector Research Articles

Which group should policies target? Effects of incentive policies and product cognitions for electric vehicle adoption among Chinese consumers

As a sustainable innovation in transport sector, electric vehicles (EVs) have shown great potential in reducing carbon emissions and pollution. Understanding the factors affecting consumers' adoption intentions of EVs is vital to the diffusion of EVs. This study aims to identify factors that can encourage consumers to adopt EVs from both internal and external perspectives. We examined three types of policies for EVs formulated by the Chinese government since 2010. Aiming to understand consumers' perceptions of these policies and their impacts on adoption intentions, a survey was sent to potential vehicle consumers in urban China. The survey asked respondents about their cognitions of EVs, including environmental performance and vehicle property, and their perceptions toward three types of incentive policies and their adoption intentions. Results show that consumers' adoption intentions of EVs are determined by product cognition toward EVs and perceptions of incentive policies. Respondents’ perceptions of policies are also diverse when grouped according to different demographic characteristics. Women, the elders, and those with lower income exhibit higher acceptance and interest in the policies than their counterparts. Our results are meaningful to policy makers and companies interested in targeting at certain groups and guiding consumers toward clean vehicle technologies.

Customer-centered knowledge management: challenges and implications for knowledge-based innovation in the public transport sector

Purpose – This study aims to explore the role of knowledge management practices in supporting current and emerging passengers’ and customer needs, aiming to create value. Specifically, the research examines the importance of customer-centred knowledge management in the delivery of innovative services and practices in the public transport sector, promoting the role of interactions between mobility stakeholders and travellers. Design/methodology/approach – A theoretical framework is developed and supported by the background literature on customer-centric knowledge management approaches, business model innovation, as well as on inter-organisational and network co-operations. Findings – Results show that the development of sustainable innovation and technologies in the transport sector requires knowledge management practices, which enable the access to knowledge about users’ needs, the mapping and evaluation of innovative knowledge, the promotion of knowledge-based innovation through collective approaches, as well as the acquisition and integration of new knowledge. Research limitations/implications – The conceptual framework developed in the paper remains limited to a theoretical understanding. Further research should empirically examine knowledge issues related to the intangible character and intellectual capital intensiveness of innovation in the transport sector. Practical implications – Researchers, public transport companies and public transport authorities are expected to benefit from this research, by developing mechanisms for customer-centred knowledge management, which is found to lead to innovative services and practices in the public transport sector. Another practical implication regards the adoption of knowledge management practices, leading to technological innovations in public transport, and advancing the level of sustainability in transport systems. Originality/value – The originality of this study lies in the development of a customer-focussed knowledge management framework, which provides a novel perspective of value creation in an attempt to engage researchers and practitioners from the transport industry in the conceptualisation and development of innovative solutions.