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  • Dynamics of knowledge production and technology diffusion: Insights from the emergence of wind energy
    Publication . Sousa, Cristina; Bento, Nuno; Fontes, Margarida
    The objective of this paper is to contribute to a better understanding of the relation between the dynamics of knowledge production and technology diffusion along the process of emergence of a new technology, as it unfolds in diverse spatial locations. For this purpose, the paper traces the process of knowledge production over time – expressed in the number of scientific publications - and assesses how its dynamics relate with those of technology up-scaling and diffusion, for the case of a new renewable energy technology: wind power. It also compares these processes in different spatial areas, looking at similarities and differences in the evolving patterns, in initial markets and follower regions. In order to trace the dynamics of knowledge production we conduct a bibliometric analysis, using data collected from the Thomson Reuters Web of Science database (for the period 1970-2012). In order to trace the diffusion dynamics we use data collected on both unit scale of turbines and installed capacity of wind power (starting in late 1970s), following the empirical scaling methodology. These analyses are conducted at global scale and, subsequently, at a regional scale, for a pioneer (Denmark) and a fast follower (Portugal). The comparison of the outcomes from the bibliometric and the technology growth analyses permits to understand the rhythm and order in which knowledge was created and applied in this particular innovation. It also provides a preliminary account of the interplay between pioneer and fast follower regions.
  • Spatial diffusion and the formation of a technological innovation system in the receiving country: The case of wind energy in Portugal
    Publication . Bento, Nuno; Fontes, Margarida
    This paper investigates how energy technologies diffuse spatiallythrough the examination of wind growth in Denmark (core) andPortugal (follower). The research draws on the empirical his-torical scaling dynamics to compare patterns of diffusion, andproposes an explanation for these patterns with the help of thetechnological innovation systems (TIS) theoretical framework. Theanalysis uncovered an acceleration of diffusion when the technol-ogy attained the new market. The mechanisms that allowed rapidadoption were found to be, among others, transnational linkagesand an improved absorptive capacity. The latter benefited frompast investments in knowledge development, imports of state-of-the-art technology and construction of a local industry assemblingavailable competencies. Targeted policies (e.g. tender-based feed-in scheme) were effective to stimulate technology transfer andboost diffusion. The linkages with the global TIS and the conceptof absorptive capacity improve the understanding of the processesinvolved in the formation of a TIS in receiving countries.
  • Direction, legitimacy and structuration in technological innovation systems upscaling-insights from roadmaps for deepwater offshore wind energy
    Publication . Bento, Nuno; Fontes, Margarida
    This research investigates strategies aiming to accelerate the up-scaling of low- carbon innovations. We adopt the technological innovation systems (TIS) perspective to focus on structuration or system building processes, including key innovative activities. We analyze national roadmaps that have been developed for offshore wind energy in deep waters - more than 50 meters deep where most of the potential is expected but whose technologyis more immature . in Europe. The roadmaps analysis not only reveals how actors expect the TIS grow but also enables the understanding about the critical functions at this stage, such as direction of search and legitimacy.
  • The construction of a new technological innovation system in a follower country: wind energy in Portugal
    Publication . Bento, Nuno; Fontes, Margarida
    This article analyzes the process of construction of a new innovation system based on wind energy in a "follower" context. The technological innovation systems framework is used to analyze and explain the emergence of a new wind industry in Portugal, where this renewable energy technology knew a spectacular development in the past decade. This framework highlights the main processes or functions that intervene in the diffusion of a new technology. The evidence obtained demonstrates that the fulfillment of these functions, which were mostly studied in the context of pioneer countries, is still pertinent to explain the formation of a wind energy system in this follower country. Yet the type of resources and the nature of the activities needed to adopt the technology in the latter will often differ. This case provides new insights about the importance of functions that enhance the follower's capacity to assimilate the new technology (e.g. local knowledge development, experimentation), creating conditions for a fast move as soon as innovations become sufficiently mature in the core.
  • The construction of a new technological innovation system in a follower country: wind energy in Portugal
    Publication . Bento, Nuno; Fontes, Margarida
    This article analyzes the process of construction of a new innovation system based on wind energy in a “follower” context. The technological innovation systems framework is used to analyze the process of technology diffusion as well as the emergence of a new wind sector in Portugal, where this renewable energy technology showed a spectacular development in the past decade. This framework highlights the main processes or functions that occur in the diffusion of a new technology. The evidence obtained demonstrates that the fulfillment of these functions, which were mostly studied in the context of pioneer countries, is still pertinent to explain the formation of a wind energy system in this follower country. Yet the type of resources and the nature of the activities needed to adopt the technology in the latter often differ. This case provides new insights into the importance of functions that enhance the follower's capacity to assimilate the new technology (e.g. local knowledge development, experimentation), thus creating the conditions for a fast move as soon as innovations become sufficiently mature in the core.
  • Dynamics of knowledge production and technology diffusion: insights from the emergence of wind energy
    Publication . Sousa, Cristina; Bento, Nuno; Fontes, Margarida
    The objective of this paper is to contribute to a better understanding of the relation between the dynamics of knowledge production and technology diffusion along the process of emergence of a new technology, as it unfolds in diverse spatial locations. For this purpose, the paper traces the process of knowledge production over time expressed in the number of scientific publications and assesses how its dynamics relate with those of technology up scaling and diffusion, for the case of a new renewable energy technology: wind power. It also compares these processes in different spatial areas, looking at similarities and differences in the evolving patterns in initial markets and follower regions. In order to trace the dynamics of knowledge production we conduct a bibliometric analysis, using data collected from the Thomson Reuters Web of Science database (for the period 1970-- 2012). In order to trace the diffusion dynamics we use data collected on both unit scale of turbines and installed capacity of wind power (starting in late 1970s), following the empirical scaling methodology. These analyses are conducted at global scale and, subsequently, at a regional scale, for a pioneer (Denmark) and a fast follower (Portugal). The comparison of the outcomes from the bibliometric and the technology growth analyses permits to understand the rhythm and order in which knowledge was created and applied in this particular innovation. It also provides a preliminary account of the interplay between pioneer and fast follower regions.