Path Dependence Perspective Research Articles

The length of historical path and the digitalization speed of record labels: A path dependence perspective

The length of historical path and the digitalization speed of record labels: A path dependence perspective

Anti-corruption and firm innovation: political path dependence perspective

ABSTRACT Drawing on the concept of political path dependence, we hypothesise a positive impact of anti-corruption measures on firm innovation, illustrating how businesses can benefit from both eliminating illegal political ties (‘cleaning house’) and cultivating lawful relationships with the government (‘hosting new guests’). By analysing a sample of A-share listed companies from 2010 to 2015 using the PSM-DID model, we demonstrate that anti-corruption campaigns enhance innovation performance. Specifically, anti-corruption efforts sever the nexus of interests between government and businesses, curbing corporate expenditures on rent-seeking activities. Firms located in regions with stringent governmental oversight have experienced significant improvements in innovation outputs following the implementation of anti-corruption policies, particularly private-owned enterprises. This study provides empirical support for the benefits of anti-corruption from the perspective of political path dependence, offering valuable insights for governments aiming to bolster firm innovation through improved public governance and legal frameworks.

Impact of initial business model on the growth trajectory of new technology-based firms: a path dependency perspective

AbstractOur study explores links between the initial business model design and the post-founding development of new technology-based firms (NTBFs) through a selection of recently established NTBFs across Sweden, Finland, and France (481 firms). The trajectory of these firms’ performance has been observed and analyzed over the span of five years. The study examines the long-term effects of NTBFs’ initial business model design on their development and the path dependency of these designs on future firm performance. Our results indicate that high-growth and stable NTBFs have distinct initial designs, implying that new firms’ founders and their business design decisions have important consequences for subsequent NTBF development. Specifically, our study examines how business model characteristics impact the growth trajectory of NTBFs by empirically differentiating between the foundational characteristics of high-growth and stable NTBFs. We find that maintaining stable activity is linked to a low level of uniqueness, less demanding business objectives, and a lack of risk while high-growth is related to a larger early access to resources. We propose an explanation using path dependency literature, arguing how early business model choices predetermine long-term growth paths. Our research also provides valuable insights for stakeholders in designing targeted strategies for sustainable development.

The Change of Public Health Emergency Policy in China: Course, Logic, and Prospect

With the frequent occurrence of various public health events, systematic analysis of public health emergency policies is urgently needed. Based on the historical institutional framework, it can be found that China's public health emergency policy has experienced four stages: slow start, rapid development, gradual adjustment and comprehensive improvement since the founding of the People's Republic of China. From the perspective of deep structure, economic level, social governance concept and scientific and technological development affect the evolution of public health emergency policy; From the perspective of path dependence, the policy is strengthened by increasing returns. From the perspective of dynamic mechanism, the interaction between key nodes and policy stakeholders promotes policy development. In the new era, the future development of China's public health emergency policy should grasp the key nodes of institutional change, enrich the policy system, improve the social participation mechanism, and encourage emergency technical innovation, and then realize the comprehensive improvement of China's public health emergency response capacity.

Why do freelance tour guides still stay after the attack of COVID-19：A path-dependent perspective

The tourism industry has been devastated by COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019), with tour guides taking the brunt. Through in-depth interviews with 24 freelance tour guides in China and thematic analysis, this study addressed why they continue to work in this field and provided some insights for the freelance tour guides to stay in the tourism industry. The findings revealed that some individuals stay active because of their optimistic and open personality, professional recognition, etc. In contrast, others are passively locked into their current career path due to their cautious personality, fear of losing human capital, inertia, low self-efficacy, and limited job opportunities. These findings promote the application of path dependence theory in the career decision-making of freelancers by enhancing our understanding of the diverse reasons underlying individuals' retention behaviors in an unorganized setting in the context of COVID-19.

Overcoming barriers to transformation in manufacturing firms. A path-dependence perspective of digital servitization

AbstractManufacturing firms struggle to break away from their pre-existing business models, offerings, routines, and capabilities. The present study used path dependency as a theoretical lens to investigate a single longitudinal case study of a leading manufacturing company based on in-depth interviews with senior executives and managers. The analysis contributes to extending the digital servitization and path-dependence literature by proposing four path-breaking mechanisms: (1) organizational reconfiguration, (2) reconfiguration of value offerings, (3) opportunity exploration, and (4) knowledge reconfiguration. The framework developed based on these mechanisms generated valuable insights for manufacturing firms seaking to to break away from their dominant paths.

Complexing Governance Styles: Connecting Politics and Policy in Governance Theories

Governance theories consider policy steering as modes sustained in hierarchies, markets, and networks. If governance depoliticizes public management structures, then populism and technocratic forms’ emergence in politics is a threat to public governance. This article analyzes governance styles, showing how a reconciliation between the dimensions of policy and politics is necessary to think about policy steering’s complexity and its ensuing paths. We develop a typology of governance styles to address policy and political dynamics. This typology shows how different governance styles combine pluralist, populist, and technocratic elements, along with hierarchies, markets, and networks. We illustrate our typology with different policies conceived in distinct political regimes in Brazil. We argue that governance theories must incorporate a perspective of political conflict, path dependence, and contingency. This perspective on political conflict is essential for understanding governance reforms and how they shape public management practices.

Public-private partnership in Alberta, Canada: a path dependence perspective

PurposeIn this study, the authors revisit Alberta's public-private partnership (P3) program after 20 years of field level experience by retracing its historical emergence and institutional evolution given its political context. Specifically, the authors adopt a path dependence perspective to reconstruct and reexamine Alberta's P3 program emergence, reflect on the successes achieved, and articulate challenges that must be overcome to institutionalize P3s as part of Alberta's infrastructure delivery environment in the future.Design/methodology/approachAdopting a constructivist approach and a case-based methodology, the authors (re)analyze the activities of governmental agents, private industry, and other actors as part of a new infrastructure policy introduced in 2002 to transform the provincial institutional landscape to accommodate P3.FindingsThe authors find Alberta's P3 emergence was driven by the necessity of its infrastructure deficits, political expediency, and resource scarcity. Furthermore, with well-entrenched conservative political actors as gatekeepers, Alberta's P3 implementation demonstrated stability and incremental change simultaneously, consistent with core elements of path dependency. Following the introduction of P3 in Alberta, the province lacked formal institutional structures that would transition its P3 program from good to great and enable it to become firmly embedded in the public infrastructure delivery landscape. With the subsequent absence of P3-convinced (political) leadership and uncertainty about its P3 policy direction, Alberta was unable or unwilling to consolidate the progress made at the start of the program.Originality/valueMost recently, the emergence of new political leadership in Alberta has (re)catalyzed policy progress, pointing toward a more methodical program approach, and suggesting a rediscovered confidence in P3s in the province with the establishment of a P3 Office (P3O), including nascent formal rules for unsolicited bids. These recent changes in our view make for a much more anchored policy and could lead to program sustainability and eventual institutionalization. Given the unpredictability of the recent political change, a more robust analysis of the relationship between political party control, leadership, and P3 stability is required to anticipate future policy and organizational obstacles.

Emergence and evolution of aquaculture sustainability certification schemes

Nongovernmental private organizations have used certification as a governance instrument to advance the socioenvironmental and ethical sustainability of industrial aquaculture. Though started by organic pioneers, the landscape of aquaculture certification has rapidly altered since the late 1990s with the emergence of nonorganic initiatives accelerated by socioeconomic and environmental crises affecting aquaculture production. However, evidence regarding when, how, and why various schemes have emerged and evolved is scarce. Informed by the path-dependence perspective, this study chronicles the emergence and evolution of four organic and six nonorganic transnational nongovernmental aquaculture certification schemes. Drawing on archival records, this study notes that the dynamics of markets, politics, and ideas have played a decisive role in the creation and proliferation of schemes, species-specific standards, and certification programs. By dividing the evolutionary period into two timescales, 1970–1999 and 2000–2021, this study documents the intense competition among certification agencies spurred by the demand for farmed seafood in international markets. A nonorganic certification scheme was dissolved because of a credibility crisis and criticisms, whereas other schemes continue to thrive. However, the recent consolidation of major nonorganics and their growing involvement in the wild fishery industry put the aquaculture certification field in a state of uncertainty. This study provides important insight into the advancement of program-level harmonization initiatives and how the limits of those measures can be overcome to resolve confusion and duplication of certification schemes.

Dynamic process, influence, and triggering mechanism of slope remodelling by landslide clusters in the South Jingyang Tableland, China

Recently, the concept of landslide path dependence has been proposed and well confirmed in landslide studies in central Italy and the Nepal Himalaya, providing a novel perspective for understanding landslide activity patterns and assessing susceptibility. Previous studies have shown that landslides in some loess tableland regions of China have obvious clustering effect, but whether landslides in these regions also have path dependence have not been well discussed. From the perspective of landslide path dependence, multidisciplinary survey methods (including remote sensing, satellite interpreting and monitoring, geographic information system mapping, terrestrial laser scanner survey, electrical resistivity tomography survey, remote online monitoring, physical experiments, numerical simulations, mathematical statistical analysis, and geomorphic change detection, etc.) were jointly applied in the study of landslide clusters in the South Jingyang Tableland, Shaanxi Province, China. We reveal the temporal-spatial distribution and deformation law of landslide clusters in the study area, analyze the effect of consecutive landsliding on the geomorphic evolution of the loess tableland and its triggering mechanism, and find the evidence of the existence of landslide path dependence in loess environment. The results show that the rise of groundwater level caused by human activities is the main culprit for the landslide clusters formation in the study area. Different path dependent models (reactivation or continuation landsliding, local activation landsliding, and remote activation landsliding) repeatedly acted alone or interacted with each other, leading to the formation of large-scale landslide clusters, and continuously remodeled the landscape of the loess tableland, thus accelerating the evolution process of the loess tableland. This study provides a scientific basis for further understanding the distribution law, sliding mode, clustering effect and formation mechanism of landslide clusters in loess tableland.

Navigating the early stages of a large sustainability-oriented rural tourism development project: Lessons from Træna, Norway

This paper draws on data collected through multiple approaches and presents an exploration of the early stages of a large sustainability-oriented rural tourism development project. Through a streamlined qualitative analysis, the study revealed four tactical moves deployed in the early stages of the project. The moves include instilling project legitimacy, forging a support network, anchoring the project, and mobilising resources and capabilities. Further analysis revealed that these moves tend to reinforce each other, and thus they require concurrent implementation. Subsequently, the study develops a framework delineating drivers, enablers, challenges, and key success factors for navigating the early stages of a large sustainability-oriented rural tourism development project. Intriguingly, the study contradicts the path dependence perspective, which is often used in project management research. Instead, it suggests that the early stages of such projects require tactical path creation involving well-calculated actions that serve as a breeding ground for valuable random incidents.

Evolution and interaction of ecological civilization construction pattern from the perspective of path dependence–based on the panel data of Jiangsu Province, China

Evolution and interaction of ecological civilization construction pattern from the perspective of path dependence–based on the panel data of Jiangsu Province, China

Organized Crime in Albania: A Path Dependence Perspective

Albanian organized crime has gained attention from the media and academia due to its significant role in international criminal world. Many studies have showcased Albanian criminal groups’ main characteristics and what makes them stand out. Nevertheless, such studies lack a theoretical application that binds the findings and provides an extensive panorama of Albanian organized crime development. Implying that the formation of Albanian organized crime is not a coincidence but rather an ongoing process, this study refers to path dependence theory to explain such an occurrence. Traditionally, the study of path dependence has focused on explaining how standards or rules become reinforced and determinant in a set environment by passing through three sequential stages. Consequently, the study uses a three-phase model to analyze Albanian organized crime from its inception to its latest stage.

A research on the threshold effect of human capital structure upgrading and industrial structure upgrading—based on the perspective of path dependence

A research on the threshold effect of human capital structure upgrading and industrial structure upgrading—based on the perspective of path dependence

Explaining cost escalation on Ireland's national broadband plan: A path dependency perspective

Ireland's national broadband plan (NBP), announced in 2012, aimed to provide access to a minimum of 30 Mbps download speed to all households in the country ahead of the EU's Digital Agenda for Europe 2020 target for such speeds. The projected cost of the government subsidy was originally €175 million. However, when the contract for the procurement of the NBP was eventually signed in 2019 the estimated subsidy had risen to between €2.2 and €2.9 billion. Using a path dependency framework, this paper finds that the escalation in the cost of subsidy was driven by two main factors. First, the decision to roll out fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) technology was inconsistent with the geographic/legacy path dependencies related to Ireland's low-density rural population. Second, the gap-funding/PPP procurement model adopted for the intervention failed to attract competitive bids and was at odds with the competitive path dependency and the dominant role of the incumbent operator.

Socialist Industrialization as a Factor of Urban Development and a Difficult Legacy in Košice, Slovakia

The postwar decades were significant for urban development in Central and Eastern Europe since many cities grew rapidly and were industrialized. The Slovak city of Košice illustrates how industrial entities’ localization catalyzes urban development. The development in the years after 1945 changed the city character from middle size provincial town into a large industrial city. Later, the post-socialist transformation redirected this trend and left postindustrial areas within the city structure. From a path dependency perspective, the first phases of socialist and post-socialist periods show similar dynamics as a time of significant changes that set the guidelines for city development.

Path dependence in the Tri-Border Area

ABSTRACT Approaching the triple border between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay from the perspective of path dependence, this article analyzes how a trajectory, started in the 1950s, determined the existence of some elements that define the characteristics of the triple border in the 21st century. As a theoretical basis, historical institutionalism is used as an analysis strategy, the following elements are present in the analytical structure of the path dependence: critical juncture, path-broken, self-reinforcing, lock-in. We conclude that the critical situation occurred when Paraguay strengthened its relationship with Brazil in the 1950s, with actions to reinforce their trajectory in the 1960s and 1970s, with institutional lock-in taking place in the 1980s and 1990s.

Policy and institutional enablers of public–private partnerships in the electricity sector in Uganda: a multi-level and path dependence perspective

PurposeThis paper explains the evident disproportionality in the levels of adoption of the modality of public–private partnerships (PPPs) in Uganda by tracing the peculiar preconditions and enablers of the model's relative high adoption in the electricity sector.Design/methodology/approachKey conceptual suggestions from historical institutionalism (HI), critical juncture and path dependence are used to orient the data collection and analysis. The direct experiences and perceptions of key informants involved in policy, regulation and operations in the electricity sector are thematically analyzed.FindingsThe primacy of specific policy, institutional decisions and actions sequentially undertaken at the international, national and sectorial levels in shaping the conceivability and possibility of PPP modality is foregrounded. In particular, international advisory for the changed role of the state and the government's subsequent decision to enact and reenact specific institutional frameworks at the national and sectorial levels created important disruptions to the status quo and paved a new and relatively stable institutional path conducive for private sector participation.Research limitations/implicationsTheoretically, the paper demonstrates the ability and power of HI to support the exploration and framing of multilevel and path-dependent explanations of institutional development and policy adoption. Practically, suggestions in terms of policy, legal and regulatory enablers for the adoption of PPP are made to shape practitioners' decision-makingPractical implicationsPractically, suggestions in terms of policy, legal and regulatory enablers for the adoption of PPP are made to shape practitioners' decision-making.Originality/valueThe importance of considering factor combinations and sequences in explaining the emergence, adoption and proliferation of public policy instruments and phenomena is underscored. In addition, the discourse on PPPs is moved beyond rationalization on how to even out their adoption (and subsequently the associated benefits) across sectors.

Employability reforms in Tunisian higher education: a path-dependence perspective

ABSTRACT The article investigates the impact of inherited cultural memes on employability policies in Tunisia, where the 2006 Bologna-inspired reforms were touted as a remedy for the critical problem of graduate unemployment. Mainstreaming vocational tracks, introducing transversal courses and involving employers in the design of curricula and training of students were promised to enhance graduates’ ‘job-readiness’. Yet a decade on, graduate unemployment has only exacerbated and fuelled a revolution that toppled the Ben Ali autocratic regime in 2011. Using the lens of path dependence theory, the article probes the way cultural vestiges may impinge on the outcome of the reform policy. The findings reported are mainly based on a doctoral dissertation conducted by the author and also on other relevant empirical studies. It concludes that ‘policy legacies’ and inherited ‘perceptual filters’ continued to shape stakeholders’ perceptions of the traditional mission of universities, while ‘nested rules’ diluted the impact of the new measures and impeded the institutionalisation of the new path of reforms.

Agency, new technological path creation and long waves of local economic growth in Oxfordshire

In this article it is argued that long-term economic growth can be secured by the continual re-invention of the technological and consequential economic bases of local economies. Starting from the perspective of evolutionary path dependence in the development histories of new technologies, the roles of innovators in the creation of new technological pathways are theorised. Historical case study evidence is then presented of the contributions of pioneering innovators to the ongoing long-term production and employment growth in the local economy of Oxfordshire over the last two centuries. Oxfordshire provides an empirical example of one of the more successful local economies in the UK. It is concluded that much of this success has been based on the activities of a small number of innovators who have used national and international knowledge networks to import cutting edge technologies of their time into the local economy in order to start world leading industries in the County. These have formed the bases of its long-term economic performance.