Showing papers in "Technology Analysis & Strategic Management in 2008"
TL;DR: The empirical findings showed that the analysis of various niche-internal dimensions needed to be complemented with attention to niche external processes, and the multi-level perspective proved useful for contextualising SNM.
Abstract: This article discusses empirical findings and conceptual elaborations of the last 10 years in strategic niche management research (SNM). The SNM approach suggests that sustainable innovation journeys can be facilitated by creating technological niches, i.e. protected spaces that allow the experimentation with the co-evolution of technology, user practices, and regulatory structures. The assumption was that if such niches were constructed appropriately, they would act as building blocks for broader societal changes towards sustainable development. The article shows how concepts and ideas have evolved over time and new complexities were introduced. Research focused on the role of various niche-internal processes such as learning, networking, visioning and the relationship between local projects and global rule sets that guide actor behaviour. The empirical findings showed that the analysis of these niche-internal dimensions needed to be complemented with attention to niche external processes. In this respect, the multi-level perspective proved useful for contextualising SNM. This contextualisation led to modifications in claims about the dynamics of sustainable innovation journeys. Niches are to be perceived as crucial for bringing about regime shifts, but they cannot do this on their own. Linkages with ongoing external processes are also important. Although substantial insights have been gained, the SNM approach is still an unfinished research programme. We identify various promising research directions, as well as policy implications.
1,686 citations
TL;DR: An improved understanding of the formative phase of new technological innovation systems (TIS) is contributed by outlining a framework for analysing TIS dynamics in terms of structural growth and key innovation-related processes (“functions”) and discussing two of these functions at some depth: “legitimation” and “development of positive externalities”.
Abstract: Responding to the climate change challenge requires a massive development and diffusion of carbon neutral technologies and, thus, emergence and growth of new socio-technical systems. This paper contributes to an improved understanding of the formative phase of new technological innovation systems (TIS) by outlining a framework for analysing TIS dynamics in terms of structural growth and key innovation-related processes (“functions”) and by discussing two of these functions at some depth: “legitimation” and “development of positive externalities”. Empirical examples are provided from case studies on renewable energy technologies. We highlight the problematic role of technology assessment studies in shaping legitimacy and the importance of early market formation for the emergence of “packs of entrepreneurs” that may contribute to legitimation, and discuss how exploitation of overlaps between different TISs may create positive externalities, opening up for a powerful “bottom-up” process of system growth. Ass...
373 citations
TL;DR: A meta-analysis of Dutch renewable energy innovation journeys (1970-2006): hype-cycles, closed networks and technology-focused learning, and a critical comparison of the Netherlands and Sweden.
Abstract: Since the 1970s, environmental problems have risen on the political agenda. Many environmental problems (such as water pollution, local air pollution, acid rain) have since been solved or substanti...
268 citations
TL;DR: This article analyses long-term innovation policies and development trajectories of four renewable energy technologies: wind energy, biomass, fuel cells and hydrogen, and photovoltaics and concludes that major problems exist with regard to learning processes, social networks, and expectations.
Abstract: This article analyses long-term innovation policies and development trajectories of four renewable energy technologies: wind energy, biomass, fuel cells and hydrogen, and photovoltaics. These trajectories and policies are characterised by many costly failures, setbacks, hype-disappointment cycles, tensions, and struggles. Although setbacks and non-linearities are a normal part of innovation journeys, a comparative analysis of four cases shows the recurrence of particular problems. Using Strategic Niche Management as analytical approach, we conclude that major problems exist with regard to learning processes (too much technology-push, focused on R&D), social networks (supply side oriented, narrow, closed) and expectations (hype-disappointment cycles, limited competence to assess promises).
194 citations
TL;DR: The intention is to specify current or potential contributions of actors, or actor groups, to innovation system performance and dynamics by explicitly relating actor level characteristics such as innovation strategies and resource endowments to system level characteristics.
Abstract: The innovation systems approach has been successfully established as a conceptual basis for an encompassing analysis of actors, networks and institutions that influence innovation processes. Here we present an approach that concentrates on the actors in a selected technological innovation system. The intention is to specify current or potential contributions of actors, or actor groups, to innovation system performance and dynamics. This will be achieved by explicitly relating actor level characteristics such as innovation strategies and resource endowments to system level characteristics like actor configurations, system functions and performance. We illustrate the approach with a case study on stationary fuel cells in Germany.
150 citations
TL;DR: This paper sheds more light on SNM by systematically consolidating the main SNM studies, and by bringing in new insights from the literature that is in some sense complementary to SNM.
Abstract: Strategic niche management (SNM) is a recently developed approach that could help induce a broad socio-technical transition towards more sustainable development. It is designed to facilitate the introduction and diffusion of new sustainable technologies through protected societal experiments in fields such wind energy, biogas, public transport systems, electric vehicle transport and eco-friendly food production. A major challenge in SNM concerns the processes by which such experiments can evolve into viable market niches and ultimately contribute to a broader shift towards sustainable development. This paper sheds more light on this issue by systematically consolidating the main SNM studies, and by bringing in new insights from the literature that is in some sense complementary to SNM. These are studies on the development and commercialisation of radical innovations in large companies, and literature about infant industry protection and broader industrialisation processes in developing countries....
147 citations
TL;DR: Recent insights from the ongoing FORLEARN project, which aims to develop Foresight theory and practise by supporting the sharing of experience (‘mutual learning’) in Europe, are presented.
Abstract: The paper presents recent insights from the ongoing FORLEARN project, which aims to develop Foresight theory and practise by supporting the sharing of experience (‘mutual learning’) in Europe. Six functions of Foresight for policy-making are elaborated on: (1) Informing policy: generating insights regarding the dynamics of change, future challenges and options, along with new ideas, and transmitting them to policymakers as an input to policy conceptualisation and design. (2) Facilitating policy implementation: enhancing the capacity for change within a given policy field by building a common awareness of the current situation and future challenges, as well as new networks and visions among stakeholders. (3) Embedding participation in policy-making: facilitating the participation of civil society in the policy-making process, thereby improving its transparency and legitimacy. (4) Supporting policy definition: jointly translating outcomes from the collective process into specific options for policy...
147 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that that all system functions that are claimed to be important within the innovation systems approach are present in the German Biomass Innovation System; and that these system functions positively interact leading to virtuous cycles and a rapid growth of the GermanBiomass Digestion Innovation System.
Abstract: We examine the view that the success of emerging technologies may be understood using a technological innovation systems analysis, drawing on a system functions approach. This is done in the context of a case study of the successful diffusion of biomass digestion technology in Germany. We show that that all system functions that are claimed to be important within the innovation systems approach are present in the German Biomass Innovation System; and that these system functions positively interact leading to virtuous cycles and a rapid growth of the German Biomass Digestion Innovation System.
145 citations
TL;DR: The paper outlines a historical contextualisation of CF practices from the 1980s onward, identifying the underlying assumptions – the ‘dominant logic’ – and opting for a new model of CF as ‘open foresight’.
Abstract: The paper analyses the role of corporate foresight (CF) as a future intelligence gathering process, which has come into widespread use in a business context where it is confronted with specific contextual, processual and methodological challenges. The results of a 2005/2006 survey on CF by the University of St Gallen in co-operation with Z_punkt are used as a starting point to provide insights into the goals, methods and use of CF in large corporations. Taking into account the challenges facing CF and the factors considered critical for its success, the paper outlines a historical contextualisation of CF practices from the 1980s onward, identifying the underlying assumptions – the ‘dominant logic’ – and opting for a new model of CF as ‘open foresight’.
141 citations
TL;DR: The comparison shows that, due to the fulfilment of system functions and the emergence of cumulative causation, the Swedish TIS has reached a market expansion and broad social implementation of biofuels, whereas the Dutch T IS has established considerably less.
Abstract: Cumulative causation in biofuels development : a critical comparison of the Netherlands and Sweden
83 citations
TL;DR: This paper is an attempt to examine the effectiveness of science parks as a strategy to promote university–industry collaboration in Malaysia and its findings show a reasonably high level of interactions between the science park (on-park) and off-park firms, and local universities.
Abstract: Studies have shown that companies with university links usually have higher productivity rates than comparable companies that do not have such links. They are also better off in terms of market share, quality of products and services and cost competitiveness. Thus the link between firms and universities is considered fundamental to the concept of science parks. Science park firms are generally known to conduct more R&D than off-park firms apparently because of the close interaction with local universities. This gives firms the leverage to exploit the knowledge spill-over generated by universities. This paper is an attempt to examine the effectiveness of science parks as a strategy to promote university–industry collaboration in Malaysia. Its findings show a reasonably high level of interactions between the science park (on-park) and off-park firms, and local universities. Overall, science park firms have more links with universities than off-park firms, although the difference is not shown to be statistic...
TL;DR: This paper proposes a rethinking of socio-economic development from resource-based to knowledge-based; from exogenous to endogenous; from state-led to university-led; and from single or double institutional effort to triple helix interaction.
Abstract: This paper proposes a rethinking of socio-economic development from resource-based to knowledge-based; from exogenous to endogenous; from state-led to university-led; and from single or double institutional effort to triple helix interaction. The triple helix development model seeks to create robust university, industry and government spheres, enhance interaction capabilities through the ability of individuals to circulate from one sphere to another. This task can be accomplished through two strategic action plans. In the first instance, there is the need for the development of an entrepreneurial university and/or enhancing academic capabilities, by drawing in persons from industry and government. Second, there is the need to encourage the circulation of elites among university–industry–government in less developed countries characterised by strong, but largely inefficient governments, the relative low industrial capacity and weak academic sectors dominated by government. The triple helix model is applica...
TL;DR: There is a two-way relationship between discourse and technology development, and how pioneering low energy housing developments have themselves become a significant part of low carbon housing discourse, acting as powerful ‘storylines’.
Abstract: The paper examines the role of discourse in innovation journeys using the example of low energy housing in the UK. Discourse is shown to be influential within innovation journeys in two main ways: first, discourse unites the often disparate organisations involved in innovation, and thereby gives structure and direction to the innovation journey; second, discourse has the power to retrospectively ‘reframe’ the course of an innovation journey, leaving out inconsistent parts and ignoring twists and turns, so past innovation journeys are in effect reconstructed in the present. This discursive remapping of innovation journeys has implications for current and future pathways of innovation. Further, there is a two-way relationship between discourse and technology development. It is discussed how pioneering low energy housing developments have themselves become a significant part of low carbon housing discourse, acting as powerful ‘storylines’.
TL;DR: A number of policy recommendations are suggested, particularly at the university–industry interface, as the ‘university’ institutional sphere appears to be the least active in the collaboration with small firms and is often outrun by the regional higher vocational training institutions.
Abstract: This paper presents the results of a recent exploratory study aiming to enhance the innovative capacity of small firms in the Northern Netherlands, a region lagging behind the rest of the country in terms of economic growth and innovative capacity. The triple helix perspective is adopted to examine the causes of the poor knowledge transfer among small firms, academic and higher vocational training institutions, government and other public agencies. Main causes include insufficient communication between parties, little awareness of government agencies on small firms’ specific problems, poor visibility of government programmes for small firms, high bureaucracy and overlapping of responsibilities between government agencies with an entrepreneurship-support mission, cultural and language differences. A number of policy recommendations are suggested, particularly at the university–industry interface, as the ‘university’ institutional sphere appears to be the least active in the collaboration with small firms a...
TL;DR: Changing triple helix relations in the South African context after 1994 is considered, arguing for a strategic balance of old and new forms of partnership across more institutions, taking into account the diversity of university contexts, knowledge fields, industrial sectors and technology platforms.
Abstract: The paper considers changing triple helix relations in the South African context after 1994. The organisational form of university–industry partnership, stimulated by government incentives, is emerging. However, old and new organisational forms, shaped by a tension between financial and intellectual imperatives, co-exist in the shifting relationship between university, industry and government. The capacity to harness the potential of research for innovation by creating new institutional interface structures is evident on a significant scale in a small number of universities, and in isolated pockets in others. Old forms tend to prevail, and may have counter-productive implications. Creating new forms of knowledge-intensive networks requires analysis of the complex inter-dependence between firms, universities and government intermediaries. The paper considers implications for universities, arguing for a strategic balance of old and new forms of partnership across more institutions, taking into account the d...
TL;DR: The paper presents a product case study tracing the challenges of commercialization from research and product development to market launch, raising a number of generic and specific issues facing innovative small, university spin-out companies engaged in introducing nano-products to the market-place.
Abstract: The paper presents a product case study tracing the challenges of commercialization from research and product development to market launch. Envirox™ is a diesel fuel additive containing nanoparticles of cerium oxide, which enables fuel efficiency gains alongside reductions in harmful emissions such as black carbon (soot). The case traces developmental stages from lab experimentation and performance data sets, to raising finance, securing manufacturing capability and market testing in Hong Kong and the UK. The paper raises a number of generic and specific issues facing innovative small, university spin-out companies engaged in introducing nano-products to the market-place.
TL;DR: It is sought to understand how nanotechnology can contribute to the development of a more sustainable society in general, and to investigate Swedish nanotechnology in particular, as it moves through phases characterized by different kinds of discourse and organization.
Abstract: We seek to understand how nanotechnology can contribute to the development of a more sustainable society in general, and to investigate Swedish nanotechnology in particular. On the one hand, the research interest is on how nanoscience can be turned into used products, that is, innovation. On the other hand, we acknowledge that innovation itself is the main producer of risk in modern societies. Inspired by sociology and economics of innovation, we try to capture this by introducing the term 'reflexive system of innovation' to denote a system made up of heterogenous elements, such as discursive components (expressions of knowledge and normative and regulative stands) and organizational components (actors and knowledge), evolving in a non-linear way through external influences as well as self re-enforcing and self-regulating processes. We present the evolution of a Swedish nanotechnology system from the 1980s to the present, as it moves through phases characterized by different kinds of discourse and organization. Evaluating the Swedish case against the concept of a reflexive system of innovation, we find advanced academic knowledge production but a lack of interconnectivity between actors, few actors outside the research community entering the system and a weak function of anticipation, guidance and risk handling. Broad national nanotechnology initiatives (NNIs) may be important for the crystallization of the desired processes, but because neither innovation nor risk can be fully contained, an NNI may only be part of the input to a fully fledged reflexive system of innovation in nanotechnology.
TL;DR: The ‘Technology Foresight towards 2020’ exercise in China is introduced and the methodology including scenario building for identifying technology demands and the method for processing and analysing the data from a Delphi survey is explained.
Abstract: Technology foresight has attracted increasing attention from government and academia as well as industry since the 1990s. However, the impact of technology foresight on national strategic decision-making varies from country to country. This paper aims to introduce the ‘Technology Foresight towards 2020’ exercise in China, which has been conducted by a research group in the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The paper consists of five parts: (1) introduction; (2) the framework for technology foresight towards 2020 in China; (3) the methodology including scenario building for identifying technology demands and the method for processing and analysing the data from a Delphi survey; (4) the major results of a Delphi survey in the following four research fields: Information technology, Biotechnology, Energy technology, Material science and technology; and (5) the impact of the research on decision-making concerning science and technology development in China.
TL;DR: This paper compares the historical socio-political innovation journeys of onshore wind power in North Rhine–Westphalia and the Netherlands, concentrating on the implementation (realisation) of wind energy projects and the market of project development, concluding that socio- political embedding is crucial to the implementation achievements and market developments.
Abstract: This paper compares the historical socio-political innovation journeys of onshore wind power in North Rhine–Westphalia and the Netherlands, concentrating on the implementation (realisation) of wind energy projects and the market of project development. Attention is drawn to the level of implementation (where struggles between multiple interests and meanings become manifest) and to the ability of entrepreneurs to succesfully plan and develop projects. A historical new-institutionalist approach is adopted, in which actors, networks and their institutional environment are understood as mutually constitutive. We investigate how socio-political embedding has come about – the process through, which a new technology becomes embedded in existing and changing rules and routines of society. A conclusion is that socio-political embedding is crucial to the implementation achievements and market developments. The legitimacy of wind projects is not self-evident. Addressing socio-political embedding contributes to a bet...
TL;DR: The tensions between the self-interest of corporations in exploiting the technology to bring innovative products to the market and self-restraint in exercising ethical choices to secure wider safety and salubrity in the face of scientific uncertainty and public insecurity are examined.
Abstract: This article discusses some of the long-term issues that corporate managers have to take into consideration when making decisions about nanotechnology. The article discusses the uncertainties and risks associated with nanotechnology development, and the partial, fragmentary state that the governmental oversight of nanotechnology is likely to be in until more is understood about potential risks of nanotechnology. The article states that the responsible development and regulation of nanotechnology may rest in the hands of corporations, and examines the tensions that exist between corporate advantage and the social responsibility of managers making these kinds of decisions.
TL;DR: The Macro Trends team at Deutsche Bank Research has developed a ‘trend map’ which provides a conceptual aggregation of trends – to provide orientation for decision-makers and stakeholders.
Abstract: Achieving an impact on business decision-makers with foresight does not appear to be an easy task. Therefore, the Macro Trends team at Deutsche Bank Research has formulated some criteria to guide foresight projects. They should aim to produce plausibility, provide convenience and inspiration as well as an appropriate time perspective with regard to the content of foresight results. In addition, a structured way of producing and delivering foresight, a seamless inclusion in organisational procedures, a high level of interaction with decision-makers, ideational entrepreneurship, innovation regarding communication with business people, and persistence and synchronisation with the business organisation are the key criteria for achieving a higher impact from foresight projects. To live up to these criteria, the Macro Trends team has developed a ‘trend map’ which provides a conceptual aggregation of trends – to provide orientation for decision-makers and stakeholders.
TL;DR: A special interpretation of the NBIC has acquired a special interpretation related to the convergence of nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and cognitive science (acronym NBIC) for the improvement of human performance.
Abstract: The design of artefacts commonly involves the convergence of many technologies and this remains true for artefacts being created at the nanoscale. However, since 2000 the phrase ‘converging technologies’ has acquired a special interpretation related to the convergence of nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and cognitive science (acronym NBIC) for the improvement of ‘human performance’, raising the visibility of what has colloquially been called ‘nanotechnology’. Exaggerated forecasts soon followed for the value of innovatory markets for nano-artefacts or artefacts highly dependent on the various emergent nanoscale technologies. Many of these activities have resulted from a creative collision between chemistry and biology, and engineering and physics, especially where the latter have been related to micromechanical devices and electronics. The outcome has been rising expectations that the field, now designated as converging technologies, may be the beginnings of a ‘new world’ within a not...
TL;DR: It is argued that nanotechnology is erroneously treated as homogeneous and is under-analysed; it is the very diversity and transdisciplinary nature of nanotechnology that makes it distinctive and interesting to social science enquiry.
Abstract: Much of the initial commentary on nanotechnology assumed, implicitly or explicitly, that nanotechnology represented a radical discontinuity from existing science and technology. The birth of the nanotechnology debate was marked by the differences of opinion as to whether the technology's outcomes would be positive or negative. The authors trace the journey from this polarized debate to the current discussion of nanotechnology, finding that the latter is still conducted in the parameters set by the initial utopian and dystopian extremes. Yet the discussion now focuses on defining the technology and identifying the social and ethical issues, which are often reduced to the potential risks of toxicity and the need for public engagement. The authors argue that nanotechnology is erroneously treated as homogeneous and is under-analysed; it is the very diversity and transdisciplinary nature of nanotechnology that makes it distinctive and interesting to social science enquiry. In this way, it may yet be p...
TL;DR: A detailed segmentation of the process of managing ETC projects is established by focussing on large industrial companies whose main business is internal technology exploitation (i.e. the application of technologies in their own products and/or services).
Abstract: Firms increasingly consider external technology commercialisation (ETC) – the commercialisation of technology assets – as an important part of their strategies. ETC goes beyond the marginal activity of commercialising residual technologies, yet prior research has not systematically analysed its monetary and strategic benefits, nor has much been published about the process of managing ETC. Accordingly this paper offers a classification of ETC objectives based on case studies of 25 technology-oriented companies. A detailed segmentation of the process of managing these projects is established by focussing on large industrial companies whose main business is internal technology exploitation (i.e. the application of technologies in their own products and/or services). Based on these classifications, four types of external technology exploitation projects are identified and the different managerial challenges are described along the process segmentation.
TL;DR: This article is based upon qualitative interviews with four groups of stakeholders in Norway: non-governmental organizations—consumer, environment, health; (2) political authorities and politicians; (3) industry and businesses; and (4) the scientific community.
Abstract: This article focuses on one important ethical and political element in the development of nanotechnologies: the relevance and importance of the precautionary principle. The principle recommends political actions based upon experiences and early scientific warnings, even when there is no clear scientific evidence to prove causal links. Our chief contribution to the discussion about the precautionary principle in nanotechnologies is the development of the stakeholder approach in a governance perspective. We link our article to the theoretical and empirical discussions on risk society. In at least two ways the risk society of Ulrich Beck seems highly relevant for the precautionary principle within nanotechnologies: Precautionary actions represent one model for the society to deal with modern risks; and Beck redefined the relation between science and society. This article is based upon qualitative interviews with four groups of stakeholders in Norway: (1) non-governmental organizations—consumer, environment, ...
TL;DR: A more coherent approach to the problem will be required over the next decade, and a framework is suggested to guide this.
Abstract: Policy makers have increasingly recognised the role which universities can play in economic growth in recent years. One consequence of this has been a dramatic growth in university research management systems in developed countries. The lack of such systems in African universities threatens to further widen their relative disadvantage in securing and managing external funding. Recent surveys demonstrate growing awareness of this among the universities themselves, and that support has been received from a range of international donors to address the problem. This, however, has not yet succeeded in the creation of sustainable long-term structures at institutional level. A more coherent approach to the problem will be required over the next decade, and a framework is suggested to guide this.
TL;DR: It is posited that while the TH three configuration represents an innovative approach in the explanation and visualisation of innovation systems in the new economy, the model appears too fine for most African societies where the governments exercise strong monopoly on the other sectors of the economy.
Abstract: In this article, we situate the Nigerian university within local and global conditions and how these affect its performance within the theoretical expectations in a knowledge-based economy as postulated by the triple helix (TH) perspective of innovation systems. We posit that while the TH three configuration represents an innovative approach in the explanation and visualisation of innovation systems in the new economy, the model appears too fine for most African societies where the governments exercise strong monopoly on the other sectors of the economy, or where the economy is not actually hi-tech and research and development oriented. Rather, in its present structure, the configuration seems to fit environments where the university, industry and government maintain mutual independence and respect for each other's roles in the economy.
TL;DR: This paper argues that the recent success that India has enjoyed in the domain of outsourcing of services can be explained through the triple helix paradigm of university–industry–government networks albeit in a manner that does not conform strictly to the existing notions of triple helIX.
Abstract: This paper argues that the recent success that India has enjoyed in the domain of outsourcing of services can be explained through the triple helix paradigm of university–industry–government networks albeit in a manner that does not conform strictly to the existing notions of triple helix. First, it presents an analytical discussion on offshore outsourcing focusing on the heightened sense of uncertainty that prevails in this particular form of procurement. It is suggested here that one of the ways of managing uncertainty is to leverage personal and social ties which are constitutive of the social capital of firms engaged in such economic exchanges. Second, it looks at the case of India through in terms of social networks and the triple helix thesis and illustrates how university–industry–government networks and the social capital of the firms involved have played a central role in India's success in the export of knowledge-intensive services.
TL;DR: It is shown that a specific type of interdisciplinarity is involved in the nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and cognitive science (NBIC) scenario on converging technologies (Roco–Bainbridge report of the US National Science Foundation), and it is argued that the NBIC scenario is based on a ‘technoobject-oriented interdiscipline’.
Abstract: Besides ‘innovation’, ‘interdisciplinarity’ is one of the most popular buzzwords frequently used in present-day science policy. At the same time, however, ‘interdisciplinarity’ is vague and misty; the term is not well defined. In order to clarify its meaning, I classify different types of interdisciplinarity. By making use of analytical classification I show that a specific type of interdisciplinarity is involved in the nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and cognitive science (NBIC) scenario on converging technologies (Roco–Bainbridge report of the US National Science Foundation). I argue that the NBIC scenario is based on a ‘technoobject-oriented interdisciplinarity’. This type of interdisciplinarity will be contrasted with the research program of the European Union on converging technologies (CTEKS) that widens the circles of convergence and aims to promote a different (‘problem-oriented’) type of interdisciplinarity.
TL;DR: Future-oriented technology analysis as a driver of strategy and policy and Australian Centre for Innovation, Faculty of Engineering, University of Sydney , Australia.
Abstract: This Special Issue features seven papers from the Second International Seminar on Future-Oriented Technology Analysis (FTA) on the Impact of FTA Approaches on Policy and Decision-Making organised i...