Scandinavian Working Papers in Economics

Papers in Innovation Studies,
Lund University, CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research

No 2009/12: Comparing systems approaches to innovation and technological change for sustainable and competitive economies: an explorative study into conceptual commonalities, differences and complementarities

Lars Coenen () and Fernando J Díaz López ()
Additional contact information
Lars Coenen: CIRCLE, Lund University, Postal: PO Box 117, Sölvegatan 16, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
Fernando J Díaz López: TNO Innovation and Environment, Postal: Netherlands

Abstract: This paper makes a distinction between three theoretical frameworks that have been highly influential in the discourse on innovation, competitiveness and sustainability: sectoral systems of innovation (SSI), technological innovation systems (TIS) and sociotechnical systems (ST-Systems). These frameworks share a common systems approach to innovation but are often positioned as different bodies of literature that correspond to different epistemic communities. This paper is explorative and conceptual in nature. It presents a systematic comparative review of SSI, TIS and ST-Systems based on the following analytical dimensions: (1) system boundaries, (2) actors and networks, (3) institutions, (4) knowledge, and (5) dynamics. In the concluding section commonalities and differences, of the three approaches are presented and suggestions for complimentarily are made.

Keywords: Innovation Policy; Innovation System; Governmental Activism; Governmental Experimentalism

JEL-codes: O30

35 pages, November 1, 2009

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200912_Coenen_DiazLopez.pdf PDF-file 

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