| 1. |
- Aspeteg, Joakim, 1989, et al.
(author)
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Intermediation services and adopter expectations and demands during the implementation of renewable electricity innovation – Match or mismatch?
- 2019
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In: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : Elsevier BV. - 0959-6526. ; 214, s. 837-847
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To limit the irreversible consequences of global warming, it is crucial that new actors adopt renewable electricity technologies. This type of innovation is, however, complex to implement, which is the reason adopters often contract with intermediaries for support services, e.g., project developers or installers. Previous studies have underlined that it is difficult for intermediaries to provide services that fully satisfy different types of adopters. Contributing to the previous research on customer satisfaction of services and innovation intermediaries, this article identifies adopters’ expectations when adopting photovoltaic technology and analyzes whether such expectations match with the services provided by intermediaries. A cross-case analysis of photovoltaic projects was performed. Results underline that motives and driving forces for adopting the technology influences how adopters select intermediaries as well as what they expect from the services provided by intermediaries. The study finally contributes with some recommendations for intermediary organizations that want to improve and adapt their services to match their clients’ expectations and demands.
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| 2. |
- Bankel, Amanda, 1992, et al.
(author)
-
Solar business models from a firm perspective – an empirical study of the Swedish market
- 2022
-
In: Energy Policy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0301-4215. ; 166
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A worldwide transition towards sustainable energy systems requires the diffusion of renewable electricity technologies. To achieve this, recent research has put emphasis on the role of business models as catalysts for sustainability transitions, particularly in the case of solar photovoltaics. Authors have identified a variety of solar business models that can be characterized based on roles, activities, and applications. In contrast, on the market, solar firms use business models to communicate their offer to clients, focusing on customers’ needs, how they organize their resources and activities to meet these needs and, in return, create value for themselves. The aim of this paper is to bridge the gap between the way the energy policy literature describes solar business models, and the way solar firms use them to communicate with their clients. The business models of 241 solar firms in Sweden were mapped and analyzed using a framework developed by Richardson (2008) as well as the roles, activities, and applications highlighted in solar business model literature. This led us to identify six types of solar business models. We found that there are some gaps and overlaps between theoretical and empirical solar business models which, in turn, have implications for theory and policy.
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| 3. |
- Bergek, Anna, 1973-, et al.
(author)
-
Entrepreneurial investors in renewable electricity production : motives and investment processes
- 2012
-
In: Entrepreneurial investors in renewable electricity production.
-
Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The transformation of energy systems towards a low-carbon economy requires large investments in renewable electricity production capacity, in terms of new power plants as well as conversion from fossil fuels to renewable fuels such as biomass. In order for those investments to increase, a larger number of actors have to see renewable electricity production as an opportunity worth pursuing. Understanding the motives and decision processes involved in opportunity recognition and exploitation in this field is, thus, key to predicting and encouraging further investments.Recent studies have shown that investments in renewable electricity production are made by a diverse (in terms of knowledge and experience) set of actors (Bergek et al., 2012). Many of these have little or no previous experience of electricity production, which implies that recognizing and pursuing the opportunity of renewable electricity production implied a radical break with their existing routines for the purpose of creating new (for them) combinations of resources (cf. Schumpeter, 1934b). In this conference paper, we study these actors from an entrepreneurship perspective in order to understand why they came to recognize the same basic opportunity (to invest in renewable electricity production) in spite of their apparent lack of knowledge and previous experience, and how they were able to acquire the resources needed to exploit the opportunity.Traditionally, economic value has been seen as the main entrepreneurial motive: entrepreneurs exploit opportunities in order to generate profit (cf. Baumol, 1990; Casson, 1982; Gilad and Levine, 1986; Kirzner, 1973; Schumpeter, 1934b; Shane and Venkataraman, 2000b; Silver and Auster, 1969). Recently, the idea has been put forward that exploitation of opportunities may be driven by sustainability values or concerns, such as a wish to induce social or environmental change (e.g. Hockerts and Wüstenhagen, 2010; Schaltegger and Wagner, 2007; Zahra et al., 2009). Based on the results of 22 interviews conducted with entrepreneurs of different sizes, backgrounds and main activities, we show that economic motives were predominant. However, in spite of the fact that all entrepreneurs saw a potential economic value in the opportunity, only few of them developed the opportunity using a profit-maximization strategy. For a majority of entrepreneurs, even a small profit was acceptable or seen as a bonus. Motives such as environment and social improvements were not decisive for pursuing the opportunity. Most of the entrepreneurs were driven by personal or internal motives, i.e. fulfilling personal or internal needs, rather than by market-needs, i.e. market-driven opportunities or market-gaps.Authors have emphasized the importance of some determinants of opportunity recognition, e.g. prior knowledge (cf. Baron, 2006), networks (cf. Ucbasaran et al., 2001) and interests (cf. Ardichvili et al., 2003; Guth and Ginsberg, 1990). Our study of the entrepreneurial process shows that entrepreneurs are indeed influenced by their personal network but that other factors such as access to an initial resource, e.g. land, can also affect their recognition process. Moreover, we found that some triggers were decisive for their opportunity exploitation decisions: the decision to start a company, the recognition of a market-need, an interest in the technology, a problem or the access to a natural resource. This led us to the identification of different types of entrepreneurs: investment-driven entrepreneurs, diffusion-driven entrepreneurs, technology-driven entrepreneurs, solution-driven entrepreneurs and efficiency-driven entrepreneurs. Finally, previous literature especially emphasizes the importance of identifying resource needs, managing existing resources and acquiring new resources in order to exploit opportunities (Alvarez and Busenitz, 2001; Brush et al., 2001; Katz and Gartner, 1988; Ucbasaran et al., 2001). Entrepreneurs typically do not control all the resources they need to exploit an opportunity and they, therefore, have to acquire them from external sources (Shook et al., 2003; Ucbasaran et al., 2001). This can be a challenging process, since emerging ventures lack reputation and track record (Brush et al., 2001). In our study, in the process of opportunity development, each type of entrepreneur had access to one or several initial resources but had to acquire additional key resources. We found that the resource acquisition of those additional resources is less challenging when intermediary actors and existing personal networks are in place and when entrepreneurs control instrumental resources that can be used to obtain other resources.
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| 4. |
- Bergek, Anna, 1973, et al.
(author)
-
Mapping diffusion intermediaries: conceptualization and empirical application to the case of renewable energy technology in Sweden
- 2016
-
Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The innovation literature has acknowledged that intermediary actors of different types can play an important role for innovation by facilitating knowledge development and diffusion, technology transfer and market formation. So far, most studies have focused on the development of new technologies, especially in the context of open innovation, whereas the characteristics and roles of intermediaries in the diffusion of innovations is largely unexplored. The purpose of this paper is to define and operationalize the concept of ‘diffusion intermediaries’ and to map such intermediaries involved in the field of renewable energy technologies (RETs) in Sweden. Using data from the official firm registry, four main types of formal diffusion intermediaries (dedicated, unspecialized, vertically integrated and diversified) and three main categories of intermediation activities (consulting, import/sales and project development) are identified. The analysis shows that the majority of the diffusion intermediaries are not exclusively involved in intermediation activities and that a substantial share is involved only in import and sales. This raises some questions with regard to the definition of the intermediary concept. More precisely, the active involvement in the adoption process is suggested to be a key criterion to distinguish between diffusion intermediaries and distribution intermediaries. The analysis also shows that diffusion intermediation has a technology-specific component. More studies are, however, needed to further distinguish between different types of diffusion intermediaries in a wider set of empirical settings and to understand the role they play for adoption.
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| 5. |
- Bergek, Anna, 1973, et al.
(author)
-
Motives to adopt renewable electricity technologies: Evidence from Sweden
- 2017
-
In: Energy Policy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0301-4215. ; 106, s. 547-559
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The diffusion of renewable electricity technologies (RETs) has to speed up for countries to reach their, often ambitious, targets for renewable energy generation. This requires a large number of actors – including individuals, companies and other organizations – to adopt RETs. Policies will most likely be needed to induce adoption, but there is limited knowledge about what motivates RET adoption. The purpose of this paper is to complement and expand the available empirical evidence regarding motives to adopt RETs through a survey to over 600 RET adopters in Sweden. The main finding of the study is that there are many different motives to adopt RETs and that RET adopters are a heterogeneous group with regard to motives. Although environmental concerns, interest in the technology, access to an RE resource and prospects to generate economic revenues are important motives in general, adopters differ with regard to how large importance they attach to the same motive and each adopter can also have several different motives to adopt. There are also differences in motives between adopter categories (especially independent power producers vs. individuals and diversified companies) and between RETs (especially wind power vs. solar power). This implies that a variety of policy instruments might be needed to induce further adoption of a variety of RETs by a variety of adopter categories.
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| 6. |
- Bergek, Anna, et al.
(author)
-
Motives to adopt renewable energy technologies : evidence from Sweden
- 2017
-
In: Energy Policy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0301-4215 .- 1873-6777. ; 106, s. 547-559
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The diffusion of renewable energy technologies (RETs) has to speed up for countries to reach their, often ambitious, targets for renewable energy generation. This requires a large number of actors to adopt RETs. Policies will most likely be needed to induce adoption, but there is limited knowledge about what motivates RET adoption. The purpose of this paper is to complement and expand the available evidence regarding motives to adopt RETs through a survey to over 600 non-traditional RET adopters in Sweden. The main finding of the study is that although environmental concerns, technology interest, access to a base resource and prospects to make money are important motives in general, RET adopters is a heterogeneous group with regard to motives: there are many different motives to adopt RETs, adopters differ in how large importance they attach to the same motive and each adopter can have several different motives to adopt. There are also differences in motives between RETs (especially wind power vs. solar power) and between adopter categories (especially IPPs vs. individuals and diversified companies). This implies that a variety of policy instruments might be needed to induce further adoption of a variety of RETs by a variety of adopter categories.
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| 7. |
- Bergek, Anna, 1973-, et al.
(author)
-
Nya investerare i förnybar elproduktion:motiv, investeringskriterier ochpolicykonsekvenser (NyEl) : Slutrapport
- 2014
-
Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Projektet Nya investerare i förnybar elproduktion: motiv, investeringskriterier och policykonsekvenser harstudierat icke-traditionella investerare i förnybar elproduktion med syfte att ge ettvetenskapligt underlag för utformning och implementering av energipolitiska styrmedel riktademot dessa investerare samt vidareutveckla befintliga beslutsstödsmodeller för investering iförnybar elproduktion. Studien har visat (a) att majoriteten av investeringarna i förnybarelproduktion i Sverige har gjorts av icke-traditionella investerare, (b) att dessa icke-traditionellainvesterare inte är en homogen grupp utan består av många olika slags aktörer, med olikamotiv, kunskapsbaser, resurser och nätverk som använder olika strategier för att genomförasina investeringar och som reagerar på olika sätt på ekonomiska styrmedel samt (c) attskillnaderna med avseende på strategier och reaktioner är kopplade till investeringsmotivetsnarare än till organisationsform eller huvudsaklig verksamhet.
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| 8. |
- Bergek, Anna, et al.
(author)
-
Who invests in renewable electricity production? : Empirical evidence and suggestions for further research
- 2013
-
In: Energy Policy. - : Elsevier. - 0301-4215 .- 1873-6777. ; 56, s. 568-581
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Transforming energy systems to fulfill the needs of a low-carbon economy requires large investments in renewable electricity production (RES-E). Recent literature underlines the need to take a closer look at the composition of the RES-E investor group in order to understand the motives and investment processes of different types of investors. However, existing energy policies generally consider RES-E investments made on a regional or national level, and target investors who evaluate their RES-E investments according to least-cost high-profit criteria. We present empirical evidence to show that RES-E investments are made by a heterogeneous group of investors, that a variety of investors exist and that their formation varies among the different types of renewable sources. This has direct implications for our understanding of the investment process in RES-E and for the study of motives and driving forces of RES-E investors. We introduce a multi-dimensional framework for analyzing differences between categories of investors, which not only considers to the standard economic dimension which is predominant in the contemporary energy literature, but also considers the entrepreneurship, innovation-adoption and institutional dimensions. The framework emphasizes the influence of four main investor-related factors on the investment process which should be studied in future research: motives, background, resources and personal characteristics.
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| 9. |
- Besma, Glaa, et al.
(author)
-
Identifying gaps and overlaps of intermediary support during the adoption of renewable energy technology in Sweden - A conceptual framework
- 2020
-
In: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : Elsevier BV. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 261
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper provides new understanding on how intermediary actors support the adoption of renewable electricity technology. While intermediaries complement each other in different phases of the process, there are also gaps and overlaps in the support that they provide. Results indicate that there is a great need of improving the communication among intermediaries and of a higher level of coordination among the tasks performed. Fostering the widespread adoption of renewable energy technologies is one of the most important drivers to limit the irreversible consequences of global warming that the world is facing today. However, the process of adopting such innovations is often complex and challenging. Previous studies have recognized the crucial role of intermediaries in facilitating the adoption process. Yet, little is known about how different intermediaries support the various adoption process phases, which intermediary type does what, and whether there are support gaps or overlaps among them. The authors of this paper contribute to previous research on innovation adoption and innovation intermediaries based upon research on the adoption context of renewable energy technologies in Sweden. They gathered secondary data and semi-structured interviews with nineteen intermediaries who support the adoption process of renewable energy technologies. The finding of this paper has implications on policy design, with regard, to how intermediaries can better perform in a technology diffusion context and to how intermediaries can be coordinated to provide better services during the different phases of the adoption process.
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| 10. |
- Gustafsson, Sara, Biträdande professor, 1974-, et al.
(author)
-
Municipalities as intermediaries for the design and local implementation of climate visions
- 2020
-
In: European Planning Studies. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0965-4313 .- 1469-5944. ; 28:6, s. 1161-1182
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The transition to a sustainable society requires the development of visions paving the way for socio-technical changes. In recent years, the literature on sustainable transitions and urban planning has highlighted the intermediation role of municipalities to implement international and national goals and visions at a local level. Yet, empirical research studying municipalities from the lens of the intermediation theory are sparse. This paper aims at contributing to a better understanding of what strategies municipalities use when intermediating between and within different scales of governance (i.e. local, national and international), and what factors influence the choice of strategies. Through semi-structured interviews and document studies, three Swedish municipalities are studied. Results show that these municipalities translate the visions through local experiments, task delegation and coalitions. Additionally, the analysis indicates that the local circumstances, rather than the relations between the local level and the higher levels of governance or the guidance of national policies, influence the choice of intermediation strategy. Particularly, whether the management approach is centralized or decentralized, result- or process-oriented, participative or exclusive, is determinant. Results also indicate that municipalities perform both top-down and bottom-up intermediation, i.e. closing the loop from the local to the national and/or international levels.
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| 11. |
- Johansson Mignon, Ingrid, 1983, et al.
(author)
-
A typology of intermediary organizations and their impact on sustainability transition policies
- 2018
-
In: Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions. - : Elsevier BV. - 2210-4224 .- 2210-4232. ; 29, s. 100-113
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Sustainability transitions encompass changes in existing socio-technological systems. In this context, scholars have emphasized the roles that intermediaries can play for sustainability transition. However, in the literature, the organizations or actors considered to act as intermediaries are very diverse and the concept of intermediary is used interchangeably between contexts. There is a risk that policy makers face difficulties understanding differences among intermediaries and consequently use some intermediaries for unfitting purposes. In this article, we propose to identify the similarities and differences among intermediaries, which are relevant for policy design for sustainability transitions. We base our comparison on three main characteristics: intermediaries' source of funding, their scope of action and the target recipients of their services. Our analysis indicates that these differences have an impact on intermediaries' short-term or long-term orientation, actor-level or system-level focus, and demand-side or supply-side target. We end the article by discussing the implications for policy design.
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| 12. |
- Johansson Mignon, Ingrid, 1983, et al.
(author)
-
Sustainable business models and innovation strategies to realize them: A review of 87 empirical cases
- 2023
-
In: Business Strategy and the Environment. - : Wiley. - 1099-0836 .- 0964-4733. ; 32:4, s. 1357-1372
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The importance of developing sustainable business models has recently received increased interest in society and among scholars. While firms attempt to innovate their business models towards sustainability or create new businesses to address sustainability issues, it becomes clear that there is no one-size-fits-all model when it comes to sustainable business models. Consequently, firms often struggle to identify, develop, and implement sustainable business models that suit them. This paper aims to address this problem by drawing on the wealth of recently published empirical studies and reviewing 87 cases where firms have performed business model innovation to achieve sustainable business models. Four main sustainable business models are identified that have been achieved through different business model innovation strategies. The review contributes to managers by offering a portfolio of strategies to achieve sustainable business models and to research by clarifying the relation between the business model innovation and sustainable business model concepts.
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| 13. |
- Johansson Mignon, Ingrid, 1983, et al.
(author)
-
The role of public energy advising in sustainability transitions– empirical evidence from Sweden
- 2023
-
In: Energy Policy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0301-4215. ; 177
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Public energy advising is a policy measure used to provide customized energy information and advice to energy end-users. It aims at encouraging and promoting decisions leading to reduced environmental impact from energy use. While the independent function of public energy advising is unique and important, in Sweden, the role of energy advisors is changing. With new and more complex client demands as well as increasing competition from other forms of advising, there is a need to examine the shift that public energy advising is facing. The aim is to provide an overview of the activities performed by public energy advisors in Sweden and to explore the roles that they play in the transition to a sustainable energy system. Based on a qualitative analysis of 129 activity reports from Swedish municipal energy advisors, this paper shows that public energy advisors do not only play a role on an actor-level, but also on a system-level, by undertaking activities connecting the target groups to other actors in society and translating national policy to the local level. These system-level roles represent an important potential for policies aimed at accelerating the energy transition, and thus they should be encouraged and maximized.
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| 14. |
- Johansson Mignon, Ingrid, 1983, et al.
(author)
-
What interests do intermediaries prioritize during wind- and solar project development?
- 2020
-
In: Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions. - : Elsevier BV. - 2210-4224. ; 36, s. 393-405
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A transition towards a low-carbon energy system requires the large-scale diffusion of renewable electricity (RE) technologies. Intermediary actors, such as installers, project developers or consultants, can facilitate this process by supporting RE adopters. Recent studies have also pointed out that there are potential drawbacks associated with intermediary support. Acting as filters and gatekeepers, intermediaries have the complex mission to prioritize between various stakeholder interests, including their own profit maximization. The aim of this research is to understand what stakeholder interests intermediaries prioritize when developing RE projects. Results of a choice experiment with third-party developers in Sweden highlight differences between technologies: wind developers prioritize electricity output, while solar developers prioritize client satisfaction. Despite being for-profit organizations, intermediaries did not prioritize their own interests over the interests of their clients. Solar PV developers prioritize client satisfaction over maximization of electricity output, which may have negative implications for the efficiency of the projects.
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| 15. |
- Kanda, Wisdom, 1985-, et al.
(author)
-
Intermediaries in sustainability transitions – differences and similarities of relevance for policy
- 2017
-
Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Sustainability transitions require changes in existing socio-technological systems. Authors have underlined the relevance of intermediaries in the design and implementation of policies intended to facilitate sustainability transition. Still, in the literature, the organizations or actors empirically examined as intermediaries are very diverse and the concept of intermediary is used interchangeably from context to context. There is a risk that policy makers face difficulties understanding differences among intermediaries. As a consequence, some intermediaries may be used for unfitting or unrealistic purposes. In this paper, we propose to identify the similarities and differences among intermediaries, which are relevant for policy design. We base our comparison on three main characteristics: intermediaries’ ownership and funding, their scope of action and the target recipients of their services. What emerged from our findings is that differences matter for intermediaries’ short-term or long-term orientation, actor-level or system-level focus, and demand-side or supply-side target. We end the paper by discussing the implications for policy design.
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| 16. |
- Laur, Inessa, et al.
(author)
-
Match or mismatch between gazelle companies’ challenges and the support provided by intermediary actors–an empirical example of the construction industry
- 2021
-
In: European Planning Studies. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0965-4313 .- 1469-5944. ; 29:10, s. 1845-1869
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- High-growth firms–also called gazelles–have the potential to create jobs and to drive regional development. Yet, there remains a lack of understanding about how to best support these companies in their growth process. Hence, the types of support offered to these firms are often misdirected and fail to provide relevant support to appropriate types of businesses. This paper focuses on one support policy aimed at support gazelles to cope with their growth challenges, namely intermediary actors, who provide matchmaking, advise and networking activities directed to gazelles. More specifically, this paper aims at identifying what challenges are encountered by gazelles and whether the support provided by intermediary actors is matching the need of support. The empirical focus of the paper is on gazelles within the construction industry and situated in the Swedish municipality Norrköping. Findings indicate that challenges relate to recruitment, interactions with the public sector, lack of support and entrepreneurial personalities/skills. These challenges overwhelm the everyday work of entrepreneurs, who struggle to find solutions, despite the support of intermediaries. Implications for high-growth companies, intermediary actors and policymakers are discussed with the aim of finding a better match between high-growth challenges and intermediary support.
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| 17. |
- Lindahl, Johan, 1984, et al.
(author)
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Economic analysis of the early market of centralized photovoltaic parks in Sweden
- 2022
-
In: Renewable Energy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0960-1481 .- 1879-0682. ; 185, s. 1192-1208
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Sweden is one of the countries that experience growing installation volumes of Solar photovoltaic. Traditionally, in Sweden, most of the solar photovoltaic investments and policy incentives have focused on distributed photovoltaic systems. Yet, despite limited policy incentives and pessimistic forecasts, an increasing number of centralized photovoltaic parks have been commissioned and plans for substantial new capacities are communicated. Hence, the current paper investigates why. Detailed information about the underlying costs of six PV parks commissioned in2019 and 2020 in Sweden were obtained by in-depth interviews with stakeholders and were analysed through levelized cost of electricity calculations. We conclude that the unsubsidised levelized cost of electricity ranged from 27.37 to 49.39 €/MWh, with an average of 40.79 €/MWh. This is lower than what are assessed for photovoltaic parks in some recent Swedish electricity system scenario studies. The main reason for the discrepancy is identified to be the assumed interest rates in the system scenario studies and the actual cost of capital experienced in the market. Comparing the levelized cost of electricity values with the market value of solar photovoltaic electricity on the spot market show that four of the six studied parks would be profitable under a merchant business model with the last years spot prices. If the downward price trend continues, Sweden may face an unexpected expansion of photovoltaic parks.
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| 18. |
- Mignon, Ingrid
(author)
-
Entering renewable electricity production : An actor perspective
- 2014
-
Licentiate thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Although energy transition is considered one of the main challenges of our time, little attention has traditionally been paid to the actors participating in this transition, such as the producers of renewable electricity. Previous energy policy literature and policy- makers have assumed that these producers are incumbent actors of the current energy system, that is to say, large utilities producing both renewable and fossil-fueled electricity. In reality, new types of producers are entering the renewable electricity production market, without much (if any) previous experience in that industry.This Licentiate thesis studies the new entrants of renewable electricity production in order to identify their motives, their responses to policies, and their ways of implementing their projects. This is conducted through the analysis of 37 cases of new entrants in Sweden. A theoretical background, a complete description of the methods, and an overall presentation of the findings are presented in the first part of the thesis, and in the second part of the thesis, four scientific papers studying the new entrants of renewable electricity production from complementary theoretical approaches are presented.Results show that the new entrant group is heterogeneous in several ways. They have different motives, they are affected by different drivers and pressures, and they are faced with different challenges during their entry processes. Despite that, their share of investments represents the majority of those currently being made in renewable electricity production in Sweden. Based on these results, policy implications are drawn and, in particular, the need for policy-makers and energy policy literature to acknowledge the particularities of the new entrants is highlighted.
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| 19. |
- Mignon, Ingrid, 1983-
(author)
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Inducing large-scale diffusion of innovation : An integrated actor- and system-level approach
- 2016
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In order for the innovation process to be successful, not only do innovations need to be developed and reached the market, but, once they are available for users, they have to spread on a large scale. In the innovation literature, a complete explanation is lacking of why some innovations reach a phase of large-scale diffusion faster than others, including both actor- and system-level components. For instance, what drives and hinders adopters to decide to adopt the innovation on the actor and system levels, and how adopters who participate in the largescale diffusion handle the adoption process and the implementation of the innovation, are questions still unanswered. As a consequence, it remains unclear how the large-scale diffusion process can be facilitated and speeded up.This thesis addresses these issues by studying the case of renewable electricity (RE) innovations. After decades of technology development and improvements, RE innovations are now mature enough to be bought off-the-shelf by individuals and organizations. Yet, the pace of their large-scale diffusion is still too slow for countries to reach their RE generation targets and to limit global warming.Through qualitative and quantitative methods including 59 semi-structured interviews with adopters, project developers and experts in Sweden, France and Germany as well as a survey sent to the whole population of RE adopters in Sweden, an adopter perspective is taken in order to explore the adoption dynamics shaping large-scale diffusion of innovation. More specifically, the thesis identifies the drivers and challenges of adoption during large-scale diffusion and their impact on adoption decisions and strategies. The outcome of this work is presented in a compiling synthesis and six appended papers.Findings show that adopters are heterogeneous with regard to their characteristics, as well as to the drivers, challenges and strategies that affect their adoption processes. Depending on their perceptions, some adopters are more influenced by drivers and challenges than others and, as a consequence, adopters base their adoption decisions on different motives and follow different strategies to implement the innovation.Moreover, the results suggest that the dynamics that occur during the large-scale diffusion process does not only come from the actor level and the level of the system where the largescale diffusion takes place, but also from parallel systems, which are related to adopters and their contexts, including both the social networks and the industries they primarily belong. This makes adopters the central drivers of the innovation diffusion process and this distinguishes the dynamics of large-scale diffusion from the dynamics of innovation development and early diffusion, in which the innovation is the central component.Based on the findings about the adoption dynamics shaping large-scale diffusion, the thesis raises the need to consider large-scale diffusion as part of a new system, different from the innovation system and that acknowledges the specificities of this process. A tentative model accounting for the central role of adopters and for the interactions between adopters, the diffusion system and parallel systems is introduced.Finally, the implications of these findings for policy makers and managers are put forward. In particular, there is a need for policies acknowledging adopters’ heterogeneity as well as the new challenges of large-scale diffusion. Strategies developed by adopters can be a source of inspiration for policy-makers, who can for instance promote the use of intermediaries, of adopters’ task environment and networks, as well as the formation of coalitions among adopters.
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| 20. |
- Mignon, Ingrid
(author)
-
Intermediary-user collaboration during the innovation implementation process
- 2017
-
In: Technology Analysis & Strategic Management. - : Routledge. - 0953-7325 .- 1465-3990. ; 29:7, s. 735-749
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The innovation process is characterized by obstacles faced both by innovation suppliers during development and by users during implementation. Although the literature has underscored the importance of collaboration, how this process occurs during implementation remains understudied. In this study, a cross-case analysis of implementation processes showed that intermediary-user collaborations are characterized by different ways of matching users' demands with intermediaries' services, different formal and informal governance mechanisms, and different implementation outcomes. We propose that these characteristics are due to the specificities of implementation and to the particularities of the intermediary-user relationship. Additionally, there are particularities of the intermediary-user collaborations that both facilitate implementation and create risks for its outcomes. We suggest that the link between the implementation outcome and the collaboration process affects user satisfaction, further investments in the technology, and learning. We conclude by drawing implications of the particularities of intermediary-user collaboration and implementation for theory, managers and further research.
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| 21. |
- Mignon, Ingrid, et al.
(author)
-
Investments in renewable electricity production: The importance of policy revisited
- 2016
-
In: Renewable energy. - : PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD. - 0960-1481 .- 1879-0682. ; 88, s. 307-316
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Finding ways to encourage investments in renewable electricity production is crucial to reach a transition to a sustainable energy system. While in the energy policy literature, investments are usually explained by economic or regulatory policies, recent studies have suggested that some investors are boundedly rational and may respond differently to policies. In this paper, a framework is proposed to make a more complete analysis of the institutional demands influencing emerging investors in renewable electricity production. Based on 35 cases, both formal and informal demands were identified and their impact on emerging investors behavior was analyzed. Results show that besides formal institutional demands, emerging investors were influenced by their task environment and by various informal demands which originated in investors collective and internal contexts. However, different investors were affected by different institutional demands. They also responded in different ways to the same demands; while some perceived a specific demand as imposing, others regarded it as inducing. These findings provide a better understanding of the institutional forces affecting emerging investors in renewable electricity. The paper suggests new policies to handle the heterogeneity of investors and opens up for a new panorama of informal policy channels, where network effects can be utilized to trigger emerging investors decisions. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 22. |
- Mignon, Ingrid, et al.
(author)
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Investor motives vs. policies to promote investments in renewable electricity production: match or mismatch?
- 2012
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In: Book of Abstracts. ; , s. 135-136
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In accordance with the 20-20-20 targets set by the European Union in the climate and energy package (2009/28/EC), national policies aiming at increasing renewable electricity production have emerged among European countries. The tradable green certificate (TGC) is one of the policy instruments being used in e.g. Italy, the UK, Sweden and Norway, where the scheme was recently implemented. Previous literature has discussed the advantages and disadvantages of TGC systems, primarily from an economic efficiency point of view (del Rio, 2005; Fristrup, 2003; Lemming, 2003; Morthorst, 2000). However, very little has been said about their effect on investors’ decision to invest. In a recent working paper, we have demonstrated that investors in renewable electricity production are a heterogeneous group and argued that policy makers’ misconception of who actually invests in renewable electricity production may have important implications for the design of effective policies. In this paper, we focus on the triggers of different type of investors’ decisions to invest in renewable electricity production. Based on interviews with different types of investors in renewable electricity production, i.e. farmers, IPPs, diversified companies, project developers, sole traders, economic associations and public non-energy organizations, we show that for many types of investors, profit maximization is not the primary motive of the investment, and that financial incentives, such as TGC, have a limited effect on investment decisions. We therefore argue that different investor categories require different kind of incentives. Based on a multidimensional framework that includes entrepreneurship, innovation adoption and institutional aspects, we identify a number of investor-related variables, which should be considered by policy makers when designing future policies to promote investments in renewable electricity production. References: del Rio, P., 2005. A European-wide harmonised tradable green certificate scheme for renewable electricity: is it really so beneficial? Energy Policy 33, 1239-1250.Fristrup, P., 2003. Some challenges related to introducing tradable green certificates. Energy Policy 31, 15-19. Lemming, J., 2003. Financial risks for green electricity investors and producers in a tradable green certificate market. Energy Policy 31, 21-32. Morthorst, P.E., 2000. The development of a green certificate market. Energy Policy 28, 1085-1094.
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| 23. |
- Mignon, Ingrid, et al.
(author)
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System- and actor-level challenges for diffusion of renewable electricity technologies : an international comparison
- 2016
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In: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : Elsevier. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 128:SI, s. 105-115
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Abstract It has become increasingly clear that a transition to low-carbon energy systems, including a widespread diffusion of renewable energy technologies (RETs), is necessary for the world to handle the challenges of climate change. Previous innovation system oriented research has identified barriers to development and early-stage diffusion of RETs, but more research is needed to understand what kind of institutional frameworks and governance tools are needed to achieve effective large-scale diffusion at a stage when technologies are commercially available and new demand-side actors become involved. The purpose of this paper is, therefore, to identify the main challenges faced by adopters of renewable electricity technologies under different institutional frameworks as well as their strategies for overcoming them. Results based on a qualitative multiple case study of 28 adopters in France and in Sweden show that adopters were faced with system-level challenges, such as market-structure obstacles and lack of institutional routines, as well as actor-level challenges, such as lack of resources or behavioral characteristics. The study also highlights the difference between blocking and restraining challenges and proposes that barriers are better thought of as challenges that can be overcome. It shows the importance for policy makers to consider not only system-level diffusion challenges, but also to understand actor-level contexts, including the behaviors of adopters who contribute to the transition. A further understanding how new entrants have managed to overcome existing challenges may provide new policy tools to facilitate the adoption for new adopters, for instance by encouraging the use of networks or by supplying specific information to potential adopters who lack it.
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| 24. |
- Mignon, Ingrid, et al.
(author)
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The impact of systemic factors on the deployment of cooperative projects within renewable electricity production - An international comparison
- 2016
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In: Renewable and sustainable energy reviews. - : Elsevier BV. - 1364-0321. ; 65, s. 478-488
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- While cooperative organizations created with the aim to initiate, develop, and operate renewable electricity (RE) projects have received attention for their roles in the transition to a sustainable energy system, the disparities in the number of RE cooperative projects among countries suggest that institutional contexts may have an impact on their deployment. In order to systematically identify the systemic factors that impact their deployment, we use an established framework, considering the strengths and weaknesses in market structure, infrastructures, institutions, interactions, and capabilities. We compare the deployment context in Germany, France, and Sweden in order to understand which systemic factors have an impact and how they affect RE cooperative projects. Based on a review of the literature and qualitative interviews with experts in RE cooperatives, it appears that, although RE cooperative projects share some obstacles with most new entrants of RE, they are particularly exposed to a lack of financial insfrastructure, a lack of knowledge and interactions, and problems related to a lack of regulatory frameworks facilitating their deployment. Results also show that systemic factors are complementary and dependent on each other; lowering one barrier lowers other barriers, and some obstacles strengthen other obstacles. Drawing on the comparison among Germany, France, and Sweden, we highlight some interesting practices that could be used in the coordination and alignment of systemic conditions for the deployment of RE cooperative projects.
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| 25. |
- Mignon, Ingrid
(author)
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What influences the implementation process of innovation adopters and how can private intermediaries contribute? : The case of renewable energy technologies
- 2013
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Renewable energy technologies (RE) are a condition to reach the system change required for a sustainable society. During the last decade, many policies have been developed in order to encourage the creation and the spreading of these innovations. The problem is that policies focus on quantity goals and do not monitor the quality of those innovations from a system perspective. Meanwhile, policies attract innovation-adopters who lack knowledge and experience about the innovation that they adopt. The risk of a low implementation quality is therefore high among innovation-adopters and supporting them is crucial. Based on the example of the implementation of wind power in Sweden, our aim is therefore to understand the implementation process by studying the factors that affect the implementation choices of 15 innovation-adopters, which we illustrate through 5 cases. In a second time, we study the potential role that private intermediaries have to play in this process, by looking at the cases of three wind project developers. We found that innovation-adopters are influenced by norms and values, knowledge and experience, resources, organizational structure and the local context where the innovation is implemented, during the implementation process. Some of these influences affect the implementation positively, whereas other result in choices leading to a lower quality of the implementation. Likewise, we found that private intermediaries can help filling in a number of the gaps that were affecting innovation-adopters in their implementation process, by taking the roles of knowledge experts, mediators, market integrators and implementation substitutes. Despite a number of unsolved implementation problems, we can see that private intermediaries contribute in better implementations of RE innovations and we end our paper with some policy recommendations to increase the implementation quality of RE-innovations.
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