Embracing the future: path transformation and system reconfiguration for self-driving cars in West Sweden

Abstract

The past years have witnessed a surge of academic interest into how new industrial paths are developed in regions. Transformation processes of existing regional industries have received less attention. This article focuses on radical innovation-based renewal processes of established paths and investigates how regional innovation systems are tackling challenges related to path transformation. Drawing on insights from the regional and technological innovation systems literatures, we develop an analytical framework that elucidates the relation between path transformation and system reconfiguration. The framework suggests that regional innovation system elements are created or adapted to (i) target the build-up of system functions regionally; (ii) link up to system functions in other locations, and (iii) transplant system functions from elsewhere. The analytical framework is applied to a case study of the transformation of the automotive industry in West Sweden towards self-driving cars. The empirical analysis provides support for the importance of the three types of system reconfiguration and emphasises the relevance of different types of assets. Furthermore, it highlights how actors tend to utilise previous networks and positions in global innovation systems rather than turning to the development of system functions regionally as the 'default option' of system reconfiguration.

Contextualizing agency in new path development: how system selectivity shapes regional reconfiguration capacity

“…In this paper, two types of path development are scrutinized: 'Path importation' refers to the establishment of an industry that is new to the region and unrelated to existing industries , driven by the inflow of actors and resources to the region (Fredin et al, 2019;Trippl et al, 2018). 'Path transformation' denotes substantial innovation-based renewal processes of established industrial paths, based on the development of disruptive technological, organizational or market innovations, leading to a new industrial path which is substantially different from the initial one (Baumgartinger-Seiringer et al, 2020;Miörner & Trippl, 2019). There is also a range of other sources and mechanisms covered in the literature Isaksen et al, 2018;Isaksen & Trippl, 2016), which are beyond the scope of this paper.…”

“…For regional system change to occur, actors are required to transcend organizational boundaries and mobilize other actors and create visions ultimately to reconfigure RIS structures. Reflecting the most recent contributions to the new path development debate, agency should not only be considered in terms of efforts to add or remove elements in the organizational support structure, but as actions or interventions targeting the functioning of the RIS (Binz et al, 2016;Miörner & Trippl, 2019). This is not only dependent on the creation or adaptation of strong organizations, such as educational facilities, incubators, cluster organizations and so forth, but also on supportive institutions such as policy initiatives and regulations (Zukauskaite et al, 2017), and guiding visions and expectations (Steen, 2016).…”

“…The comparative case study is based on an analysis of data collected in the context of two case studies both analysing aspects of new path development and RIS configuration. These studies have highlighted the role of agency in RIS reconfiguration, investigated the modes and types of RIS reconfiguration (ranging from more 'radical' forms of layering to the adaptation and novel application of existing structures), the geography and multi-scalarity of RIS reconfiguration, and the varying need for RIS reconfiguration throughout the path development process (Baumgartinger-Seiringer et al, 2020;Miörner & Trippl, 2017;Miörner & Trippl, 2019). However, the current study moves beyond an empirical focus on processes of RIS reconfiguration and analyses how, when and why these are shaped by structure-agency dynamics.…”

“…Self-driving cars (SDCs) in West Sweden For a few years the automotive industry in West Sweden has been undergoing changes due to rapid developments in the field of automation and autonomous technology. In West Sweden, the industry is going through a process of path transformation related to the development of SDCs (Baumgartinger-Seiringer et al, 2020;Miörner & Trippl, 2019). With an RIS strongly aligned with 'old' path activities, the analysis shows that incumbents in the automotive industry have been engaging in intentional efforts to transform the regional system to better fit their SDC activities.…”

“…The development of new industrial paths and the transformation of existing ones are intrinsically linked to the reconfiguration of existing RISs, in order to facilitate the provision of assets to new paths (Baumgartinger-Seiringer et al, 2020;Miörner & Trippl, 2019;Tödtling & Trippl, 2013). In other words, the emergence of new industrial activities is associated with changes to the broader regional environment in which they take place.…”