Functions of innovation systems as a framework to understand sustainable technological change: Empirical evidence for earlier claims

Abstract

Understanding the emergence of innovation systems is recently put central in research analysing the process of technological change. Especially the key activities that are important for the build up of an innovation system receive much attention. These are labelled 'functions of innovation systems'. This paper builds on five empirical studies, related to renewable energy technologies, to test whether the functions of innovation systems framework is a valid framework to analyse processes of technological change. We test the claim that a specific set of functions is suitable. We also test the claim made in previous publications that the interactions between system functions accelerate innovation system emergence and growth. Both claims are confirmed.

Measuring the duration of formative phases for energy technologies

“…These four functions are: knowledge creation, entrepreneurial experimentation, influence on the direction of search, and market formation (Suurs et al, 2009;Hekkert and Negro, 2009).…”

“…'Influence on the direction of search' relates to the mechanisms that influence how new actors in the innovation system allocate their activities and investments between competing technologies and designs (Bergek et al, 2008b). 'Market formation' refers to the articulation of demand around increasingly organized markets, from demonstration projects to niches and bridging markets which enable increasing volumes of production before mass commercialization (Bergek et al, 2008a;Hekkert et al, 2009). …”

The evolving nature of China's regional innovation systems: Insights from an exploration–exploitation approach

“…For instance, regional governments may look to create centers of excellence, attract global companies and attract important innovation intermediaries. scholars [24,[30][31][32]. Generally speaking, the functional approach identifies important functions or activities that play key roles in the processes of innovation production, dissemination, and application [30].…”

“…For the functional approach, a similar problem occurs when different functions play unequal roles in different systems or within the same system at different times. More importantly, a function that is carried out by a particular set of actors in specific forms may be carried out by another set of actors in a similar system at a different time or in other systems [31]. Thus, empirical results from functional analyses may have comparatively little value for policy-makers.…”

Input, Output, and Outcome Metrics for Assessing Energy Technology Innovation

“…Management capabilities, as well as sufficient infrastructure and collaborative relationships to support knowledge generation, are important structural features of innovation systems and influence their successful functioning. (For an overview of innovation systems at a sectoral level, see Malerba, 2002; for applications to renewable energy, see Hekkert and Negro, 2009, and to biofuels, see Jacobsson, 2008).…”