Innovation system strengths and weaknesses in progressing sustainable technology: The case of Swedish biorefinery development
Journal article, 2016

Based on the combination of economic challenges and uncertain policy conditions in the United States, European Union, and elsewhere, the development of advanced biorefineries has progressed slower than anticipated. This has delayed the transition to a more sustainable and less carbon-intensive economy. In this article, we adopt the technological innovation system (TIS) approach to analyze advanced biorefinery development in Sweden, a front-runner country in current development. The analysis highlights a number of system strengths (e.g., long-term research funding; significant research infrastructure; strong actor networks) that have contributed to developing the Swedish TIS, but also important system weaknesses (e.g., weak coordination among ministries; lack of industrial absorptive capacity; unclear roles) inhibiting it. The article highlights a combination of four policy measures that build on the system strengths to address the system weaknesses: (a) the implementation of a deployment policy for creating domestic niche markets; (b) improved policy timing and more structured coordination among different governmental agencies; (c) the provision of stronger incentives for mature industries to invest in R&D and improve their absorptive capacity; and (d) improved organization and financing of existing research infrastructure. In addition to the empirical contribution, the article contributes with novel insights into the TIS framework by highlighting the dynamics between system strengths and weaknesses, and suggests that system strengths should be better emphasized in future TIS studies.

System strengths

Advanced biorefineries

TIS

Sweden

Technological innovation systems

System weaknesses

Author

Hans Hellsmark

Chalmers, Energy and Environment, Environmental Systems Analysis

J. Mossberg

CIT Industriell Energi AB

Patrik Söderholm

Luleå University of Technology

J. Frishammar

Luleå University of Technology

Journal of Cleaner Production

0959-6526 (ISSN)

Vol. 131 10 702-715

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Subject Categories

Social Sciences Interdisciplinary

Economics and Business

Areas of Advance

Energy

DOI

10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.04.109

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9/6/2018 1