Technological Innovation System Approach Research Articles

Technological innovation system in agribusiness: motors and evolution

PurposeThis paper aims to analyze the evolution and interaction over time of the functions of a technological innovation system (TIS) based on the concept of an innovation motor.Design/methodology/approachIt is a case study of the innovation system associated with the technology for producing cage-free pullets for laying eggs in Pelotas/Rio Grande do Sul (RS).FindingsThe motors proposed by the TIS approach evolve sequentially and are associated with cumulative causality mechanisms. The study's results identified two functionalities: analysis of the chain as a whole and coordination of the actors involved in the system. The study's results also identified the presence of inflection points at the beginning of each of the motors.Research limitations/implicationsThe absence of a more accurate detailing of the market motor in discussions of the evolution of the motors and functions of TIS cage free Pelotas.Practical implicationsInnovation Motors as a new guiding approach for participatory innovation initiatives in rural areas.Originality/valueApplication of the TIS approach in agribusiness and proposition of two new functions for motor analysis, in addition to including inflection points as activation triggers in the evolution between motors.

Photovoltaics in Sweden – Success or failure?

Promoting global energy transitions while stimulating domestic industrialization requires national policymaking that shapes technological innovation towards specific outcomes. Although this is inherently difficult, historical case studies may bring a better understanding of innovation dynamics and thereby guide the design of future policy interventions. The purpose of this paper is to review and analyze the emergence of Swedish photovoltaics technology from a policy perspective. Our main aim is to provide a retrospective account of historical developments, but we also derive more general insights about technological innovation and related policy challenges. The paper departs from an adapted analytical framework based on the technological innovation systems approach. Our review identifies four decades of Swedish research that has largely failed to drive domestic commercialization, the rise and fall of an industry that mainly served international markets, and a rapidly growing domestic market based on imported products. This situation is the result of mismatches and fragmentation among key innovation processes, which have not been addressed by strategic policy interventions. We suggest that policymakers should promote a full range of innovation processes and consider making innovation support subject to a payback mechanism that delivers a return on public investments even if industries and markets emerge abroad. Our study also demonstrates how the technological innovation systems approach can be extended to include the function commercialization and emphasizes the importance of paying attention to the directionality of technological innovation processes.

Implementing maritime battery-electric and hydrogen solutions: A technological innovation systems analysis

Maritime transport faces increasing pressure to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to be in accordance with the Paris Agreement. For this to happen, low- and zero-carbon energy solutions need to be developed. In this paper we draw on sustainability transition literature and introduce the technological innovation system (TIS) framework to the field of maritime transportation research. The TIS approach analytically distinguishes between different innovation system functions that are important for new technologies to develop and diffuse beyond an early phase of experimentation. This provides a basis for technology-specific policy recommendations. We apply the TIS framework to the case of battery-electric and hydrogen energy solutions for coastal maritime transport in Norway. Whereas both battery-electric and hydrogen solutions have developed rapidly, the former is more mature and has a strong momentum. Public procurement and other policy instruments have been crucial for developments to date and will be important for these technologies to become viable options for shipping more generally.

A technological innovation system approach to analysis knowledge spillover, the case of rotary-wing technology in Iran

PurposeThis paper aims to contribute to the debate of knowledge spillover by presenting a new application for the approach of the technological innovation system (TIS).Design/methodology/approachBased on the evolutionary economics of the TIS approach, a new framework for knowledge spillover is built and applied to a case. To collect data in studying the case, a mix of quantitative–qualitative methods are used.FindingsTIS approach can help build a framework to analyze knowledge spillover from defense to the civil sector. This framework shows the direct relationship between the functional dynamics of the system and the spillover mechanism..Research limitations/implicationsSharing the same weakness as TIS, the suggested framework does not pay attention to the contextual factors.Practical implicationsThis framework is an analytical tool. It could be used for educational and research purposes, but it has limited power to devise policy guidelines.Social implicationsThis framework is an analytical tool. It could be used for educational and research purposes. But it has limited power to devise policy guidelines.Originality/valueThe paper deviates from the conventional literature of knowledge spillover which uses national level of system analysis. Based on TIS, it adds a new perspective to the literature which had suffered from a limited value of generalizability.

Entrepreneurial use of context for technological system creation and expansion: The case of blockchain-based peer-to-peer electricity trading

This paper engages with the question of why certain radical innovations succeed while others fail or stagnate when encountering established actors and sector logics. We develop an analytical framework that extends the technological innovation systems (TIS) functional approach to explicitly account for contextual factors and entrepreneurial activities. We contribute to two ongoing debates: the conceptualization of context in TIS and the micro-foundation of TIS. First, a two-dimensional matrix is constructed to locate influential factors in the spatial (geographical) and sociotechnical (sectoral) contexts. Second, for early stages of the innovation process, we identify entrepreneurial activities as the locus of the system-building functions, i.e. the activities that use contextual and system-internal factors to develop the novel technological system. We use the TIS approach to analyze the innovation system build-up of peer-to-peer (P2P) electricity trading on a blockchain platform, materializing in two local projects, one in Australia and another in the USA. We find that how and why the new configuration succeeded in productively encountering electricity sector incumbents can be explained by the extent to which entrepreneurs could use opportunities in various contexts across spatial and sectoral boundaries.

A technological innovation systems approach to analyse the roles of intermediaries in eco-innovation

The literature on intermediaries faces challenges regarding how to conceptualise and empirically demonstrate the system-level impact of intermediaries. Thus, researchers and policy analysts may experience difficulties in grasping the potential contributions of intermediaries beyond individual projects and firms to aggregate levels of an innovation system. This article combines innovation intermediary and technological innovation systems literature to develop fundamentals of an approach for analysing how organisations acting as intermediaries support firms in eco-innovation and potentially contribute to technological innovation system functions. The operationalisation of the analytical approach is illustrated using case studies on a total of eight support organisations acting as intermediaries in the region of Scania, Sweden and North Rhine Westphalia, Germany. For researchers and policy analysts, the analytical approach presented in this article offers the opportunity for a step-by-step, comprehensive and transparent analysis of different types of intermediaries, their roles, and potential contributions to innovation system functions.

Exploring barriers to the agroecological transition in Nicaragua: A Technological Innovation Systems Approach

ABSTRACTLatin America has historically been a vanguard of agroecology. In Nicaragua, an agroecological transition is occurring, with three decades of building a groundswell based on the farmer-to-farmer movement and the recent institutionalization of agroecology in national law. Yet, problems remain with agroecology’s diffusion. We introduce the Technological Innovation Systems approach to examine systemic barriers to the agroecological transition and cycles of blockages caused by barriers’ interactions. Based on qualitative data from north-central Nicaragua, we find the main barriers hindering the agroecological transition include weak guidance of the search for agroecology, insufficient capacities and quantities of resources, and lacking market development. Beyond the Nicaragua case, the analysis points at the importance of using socio-technical systems analysis to better understand and address the root causes behind issues blocking national agroecological transitions.

Explaining the Diffusion of Renewable Electricity Technologies in Canadian Remote Indigenous Communities through the Technological Innovation System Approach

This paper applies the Technological Innovation System (TIS) approach for the first time in the context of remote indigenous communities in Northwest Territories (NWT) and Ontario, Canada, to explain the diffusion of Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs). These communities need reliable and sustainable electricity to address social, environmental and economic development issues. The study examines the diffusion of RETs during the 2000–2016 period, identifies the systemic and transformational failures responsible for the functional performance of the TISs, and generates insights about factors that have the potential to sustain the development of RET projects. Findings suggest that the TIS-proposed causal mechanisms were present and performed as expected. Since the accumulation of TIS functions influences the rate of deployment of renewable technologies, policy intervention to improve local learning and networking could lead to accelerated diffusion of RETs to the benefit of remote communities and other stakeholders.

Potential transitions in the iron and steel industry in Sweden: Towards a hydrogen-based future?

The iron and steel industry accounts for one third of global industrial CO2 emissions, putting pressure on the industry to shift towards more sustainable modes of production. However, for an industry characterised by path dependency and technological lock-ins, sustainability transitions are not straightforward. In this study, we aim to explore the potential pathways for sustainability transitions in the iron and steel industry. To do so, we have conducted a case study in Sweden where there are policy and industry commitments towards fossil-free steel production. Our theoretical points of departure are the technological innovation system (TIS) approach and the multi-level perspective (MLP), and our paper presents the dynamics behind an emerging case of transition towards a hydrogen-based future. The paper has two major contributions to the literature on sustainability transitions. First, it attempts to borrow some concepts from the MLP and integrate them with the TIS approach. Second, it empirically presents an in-depth case study of the iron and steel industry – an understudied context in the field of sustainability transitions. By doing so, it sheds some light on the dynamics between an emerging TIS and potential transition pathways of a regime.

Shaping factors in the emergence of technological innovations: The case of tidal kite technology

The technological innovation systems (TIS) literature offers a detailed and dynamic understanding of factors that enable successful innovation. However, few studies analyze what determines where in space value chain elements are developed as a new technology is diffused on a large scale. The purpose of this paper is to show how the TIS approach can be used to identify and analyze factors that shape spatial trajectories of emerging technologies. It proposes an adapted analytical framework that expands the conventional focus on one-dimensional supporting and blocking factors, to shaping factors that incorporate the spatiality of innovation. The approach is illustrated by examining innovation in tidal kite technology. The analysis finds that a supportive local context in western Sweden during the infancy of tidal kite technology, together with the availability of competent engineers and business development professionals, promoted the formation of locally embedded knowledge and competence. This in turn created a spatial path dependency that made developments gravitate towards Sweden, although the lack of domestic markets has also increasingly driven an expansion of activity to other regions, in particular the UK. Moreover, the analysis shows that shaping, and not only stimulating, the growth of emerging TIS is an important challenge for regional policymakers, and highlights the need for international policy coordination. The paper concludes that analyzing shaping factors in the emergence of new TISs can yield important insights, some of which may be overlooked with a narrow analytical focus on supporting and blocking factors.

How institutional logics hamper innovation: The case of animal testing

For radical innovation to become successful the substitution of established practices are essential. Nevertheless, in the innovation literature novelty is often at the center and only little attention is paid to the influence of established technologies and underlying routines. This paper aims to contribute to this gap by increasing the understanding about the effect of persistence of established practices on the innovation process. We do this by using a framework that combines the Technological Innovation System approach with an analysis of the institutional logics reinforcing the established practice. The studied case concerns the innovation process to animal-free medicine development. Despite the fact that the substitution of animal tests is called for since the 1980s and animal-free methods are available, animal tests are still being used in medicine development. This study shows that adding institutional logics to the innovation systems analysis creates a much better understanding of the speed and direction of radical innovation.

A Model for Science and Technology Diplomacy: How to Align the Rationales of Foreign Policy and Science

Various researchers and policy analysts have made empirical S&T diplomacy studies. There are, also, some endeavors of theoretical modeling but they are still too few to promote a general discourse in the academic level. Short of any theoretical platform agreed upon to have a common understanding of multiple aspects and dynamics of S&T diplomacy, no practical guidelines extracted for the research in this field. This paper is a preliminary attempt to fill this gap. Narrowing down the subject, it introduces a theoretical and practical platform of S&T diplomacy at the national level. The paper in the first part, establishes that S&T diplomacy is an extension of innovation policy and enumerates the conditions of its effective governance. In the second part, it offers a theoretical platform for research and to build it, two steps were taken: 1) deepening the Technological Innovation System approach by differentiating the national and the international dimensions of the functions of the innovation system, 2) aligning the rationales of Power (Foreign policy) and Learning (innovation policy) by implanting the operationalized concept of power as instrument and goal in the context of innovation policy.

Analyzing interdependencies between policy mixes and technological innovation systems: The case of offshore wind in Germany

One key approach for studying emerging technologies in the field of sustainability transitions is that of technological innovation systems (TIS). While most TIS studies aim at deriving policy recommendations – typically by identifying system barriers – the actual role of these proposed policies in the TIS is rarely looked at. In addition, often single policy instruments instead of more encompassing policy mixes are considered. We address these shortcomings by applying a more comprehensive policy mix concept within the TIS approach. In doing so we analyze interdependencies between the policy mix and the TIS by shedding light on the role of the policy mix for TIS functioning and performance as well as how TIS developments influence the evolution of the policy mix. We explore these interdependencies for the case of offshore wind in Germany, using data from event history analysis and expert interviews. We find highly dynamic interdependencies with reoccurring patterns of systemic problems and adjustments of the policy mix, which are fuelled by high policy mix credibility and supportive actors. Our study constitutes a first step incorporating the policy mix concept into the TIS approach, thereby enabling a better understanding of real dynamics occurring in TIS.

Development of innovation systems for small island states: A functional analysis of the Barbados solar water heater industry

Most small island states are under economic pressure to transition from energy systems dominated by imported oil, into systems based on clean energy technologies, which are often already economically viable due to local high energy prices. Guidance on transforming energy systems is limited with few examples available to policy makers. This paper applies a technological innovation system approach to recording the development of the much-lauded Barbados solar water heating industry and applies Bergek et al.'s (2008) functional analysis approach to put forward reasons for its successful adoption. The research concludes that the Barbados solar water heater industry actually appears to be in a state of market stagnation (at around 35% penetration) and using functional analysis identifies barriers and opportunities for future growth in the local and regional solar hot water heater market, as well as proposing the key actor networks necessary for success in sustainable energy technology based innovation system for small island states.

An assessment method for system innovation and transition (AMSIT)<SUP align="right">1</SUP>

To address comprehensive system innovations that may occur in a future transition, a suitable ex ante assessment method is required. The technological innovation system approach is useful for the retrospective study of the conditions for success or failure of innovation trajectories, and the multilevel framework helps to understand transition dynamics. Drawing on these concepts and on the hypercube of innovation, we suggest, as an ex ante approach, the assessment method for system innovation and transition (AMSIT). This method not only helps to anticipate the requirements for a system innovation and transition, but it also provides an indication if these requirements are being met. The method helps to assess innovation system initiatives that not only face technological challenges in the niche in which it operates, but also challenging factors related to the sociotechnical regime and the political and societal landscape in which the niche is located. This paper describes the construction of the anticipatory AMSIT and illustrates its application in a case linked to the Dutch railway network involving a transition to a system operating at an increased voltage.

A Study on Mongolia's National Innovation System: ICT as a Pilot Sector for the Innovation System Development

Innovation system is a framework concept that can be classified in many ways, namely-national, regional, sectoral and technological. Regardless of classification, all these systems have some common features and characteristics as a system. Before the innovation system concept, Mongolia developed and implemented a system to maintain nation's capacity to acquire, absorb and disseminate technologies like other countries. There were two important practices in the system development. Firstly, Mongolia modified and implemented a system "ShBOS" (meant "Invention and Innovative Idea System") that met its unique features to create innovative culture in the nation. Secondly, newly emerged ICT sector was quickly scaled up to be able to export technological products. The main objective of this article is to study modern experience of developing the national innovation system in Mongolia, assess current state of the system, innovation awareness and readiness, and carry out recommendations on its improvement with particular focus on the capacity of ICT sector as a pilot sector. The paper suggests that the above mentioned two achievements can be applied for developing the national innovation system through technological innovation system approach.

Engaging with the politics, agency and structures in the technological innovation systems approach

• Questions whether the technological innovation systems approach can be used to study transitions.

An analysis of remote electric mini-grids in Laos using the Technological Innovation Systems approach

The electrification of the world's rural poor is an important aim of the United Nations. Off-grid technologies, such as electric mini-grids are seen as appropriate solutions. However, their diffusion rate in developing countries is not sufficient to reach poverty reduction targets. In this paper we analyze the case of remote electric mini-grids in Laos, a least-developed country characterized by many barriers to the diffusion of modern technology. We apply the Technological Innovation Systems (TIS) approach in order to derive policy recommendations on how to increase the diffusion rate. As the TIS framework has hardly been applied to such challenging contexts, we also aim to produce insights for the theoretical advancement of the TIS literature. Our analysis, which draws from secondary and primary data collected through field work, points to two systemic root causes for the low diffusion rate: institutional mismatches within and across geographical levels as well as hampered flows of resources across these levels. Based on these findings we derive policy recommendations proposing to formulate a national technology-specific electrification strategy. In terms of insights for the TIS community, we suggest to strengthen the role of culture in empirical TIS analyses and to extend the definition of one specific TIS function.

A functions approach to innovation system building in the South: the pre-Proálcool evolution of the sugarcane and biofuel sector in Brazil

This paper applies a technological innovation system (TIS) approach to study how and under which circumstances the sugarcane and biofuel innovation system (SUBIS) emerged and grew in Brazil in the period 1900–1973. The paper advances our understanding of innovation system (IS) building in the South in three ways. First, it illustrates how sectoral IS formation can be understood by using the TIS framework. Second, it highlights key mechanisms in the formation of TIS. Third, it illustrates that the TIS approach must further emphasize the demand for new knowledge in order to be adapted to the South. In addition, the paper demonstrates how many decades of IS building was central to the subsequent success of the Brazilian National Alcohol Program.

An in-depth study of direct and indirect impacts from the research of a physics professor

Some policymakers believe that academic R&D generates insufficient economic benefits. However, they often exclude the long-term and multi-dimensional impacts that are mediated through the activities of companies, students or policymakers. This case study, which is mainly interview-based, traces and characterises such impacts applying the technological innovation systems approach to the case of a physics professor. Multi-dimensional impacts are revealed in the areas of catalysis, biomaterials and research policy. Impacts on the development, social capital and search processes are continuous and cumulative, while impacts on resource mobilisation and legitimation follow upon these. Entrepreneurial experimentation and market formation are impacted in later stages, sometimes with decade-long time lags. The impact is often subtle, deeply intertwined with the action of others, and it unfolds in sequences of impact. Implications are drawn for research policy, emphasising the importance of accounting for indirect impacts in order to understand the full effect of academic R&D.