Comparing technological hype cycles: Towards a theory

Understanding smart mobility experiments in the Dutch automobility system: Who is involved and what do they promise?

“…Expectations, visions, and promises are defined there as "real-time representations of future technological situations and capabilities" (Borup et al, 2006, p.286;Van Lente, Spitters, & Peine, 2013). In early innovation phases characterized by great uncertainties, expectations are heavily negotiated among the participating actors (Smith et al, 2014).…”

Oceans of energy? The non-linear trajectory of the emerging wave energy technology

“…If results fail to meet expectations, support declines and it is necessary to conduct some "repair work", which eventually results in redirection of the trajectory and new promises being made (Geels and Raven, 2006). This non-linearity in niche development has been addressed in detail by scholars who studied the role of expectations and discussed the presence of cycles of "hype" followed by disappointment (Bakker and Budde, 2012;Borup et al, 2006;Konrad et al, 2012;Van Lente et al, 2013;Verbong et al, 2008).…”

How technology consultants assess the graphene and 3D printing hype

“…Hype as a wave of media attention that is characterized by very optimistic and exaggerated expectations, followed by more modest or negative expectations, which again create negative longer-term effects for the public trust in a given technology. These expectations are found mostly in media sources (Jensen 2012;Master & Resnik 2013;Ruef & Markard 2010;van Lente et al 2013).…”

“…Hype in general refers to a temporal and spatial evolution of expectations (including promises and concerns) characterized by a peak of high enthusiasm, followed by disappointment (van Lente et al 2013). This form of characterizing the evolution of emergent technologies has become a shared belief among innovation actors, who speak about, predict and criticize hypes from their various perspectives (Rip 2006).…”

“…It plays an important role in creating and sustaining protected spaces for new technologies (Gisler et al 2011;Ruef & Markard 2010;van Lente et al 2013;Borup et al 2006).…”