Loading...
70 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 10 of 70
- Dynamics of knowledge production and technology diffusion: Insights from the emergence of wind energyPublication . Sousa, Cristina; Bento, Nuno; Fontes, MargaridaThe 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.
- Transição energética, recursos naturais endógenos e trajetória de desenvolvimento económico: o caso da energia eólica offshorePublication . Santos, Hélder; Fontes, Margarida; Sá Marques, Teresa; Torres, MarceloRESUMO: As alterações climáticas aceleraram o processo de descarbonização. Esta busca pela produção de energias verdes fez (re)emergir o investimento em I&D de novas gerações de tecnologias e em novos locais de exploração. A energia eólica é um destes casos. Por um lado, em Portugal este recurso abunda, com potencial de expansão para o offshore (Bento & Fontes, 2015). Ao mesmo tempo, o país está muito dependente da importação de combustíveis fósseis, pelo que esta é uma questão de aproveitamento dos recursos endógenos e de soberania nacional. Por outro lado, a produção da energia eólica gera desenvolvimento económico. A eólica onshore possibilitou a criação duma trajetória de desenvolvimento industrial. A exploração da energia eólica offshore pode introduzir perturbações nessa trajetória estabelecida. A literatura descreve uma série de pré-condições estruturais regionais para o desenvolvimento da nova trajetória: recursos naturais; conhecimento científico e tecnológico e ativos industriais, infraestruturais e institucionais.
- Typology of pathways for decarbonization [Resumo]Publication . Bento, Nuno; Alves, Tiago; Ribeiro, Ricardo; Fontes, MargaridaABSTRACT: Addressing the urgent climate change requires a clear knowledge of the options available, as well as an understanding of the possible strategies to reduce carbon emissions. Identifying realistic pathways for decarbonization is crucial to inform agents’ decisions about the relevant measures (Turnheim & Nykvist, 2018), with unawareness of these pathways often delaying climate action (Bergek et al, 2023). This paper seeks to identify, categorize, and analyze decarbonization pathways from the scientific literature, uncovering cross-cutting dimensions, interconnections, and regional trends for enhanced decision-making and accelerated change.
- Co-evolutionary dynamics of policy and system development : the case of marine renewable energy technologiesPublication . Fontes, Margarida; Karadzic, Vanja; Pereira, Tiago Santos; Bento, NunoABSTRACT: The transition to a sustainable energy system is a major societal challenge requiring profound trans-formations in existing socio-technical systems (Markard et al, 2012). These processes have been addressed by the sociotechnical transitions literature that called the attention to the role played by radically new technologies, being developed in niches, which have strong transformative potential (Kemp et al, 1998; Schot and Geels, 2007). These technologies and the socio-technical systems de-veloping around them often need temporary protection against the selection pressures of the estab-lished regimes (Smith and Raven, 2016); and supportive policies are a fundamental mode of protec-tion (Kivimaa and Kern, 2016). In the case of sustainable energy technologies, policy support is fur-ther justified by the need to accelerate the transition process (which is usually a long term process), given the urgency of fighting against climate change (IPCC, 2014).
- The role of research-based spin-offs in innovation ecosystemsPublication . Conceição, Oscarina; Sousa, Cristina; Fontes, MargaridaABSTRACT: The objective of the paper is to contribute to a better understanding of the various roles played by research-based spin-offs (RBSOs) in knowledge dissemination. It investigates if RBSOs act as connectors and knowledge translators, both between different types of organisations within an innovation ecosystem and across different geographical scales and knowledge environments. This latter role has been relatively less investigated but is important to open local innovation ecosystems. The paper analyses the networks formed by Portuguese RBSOs in the context of research, technology and product development projects. The results suggest that RBSOs play an intermediary role in the country's innovation ecosystem, which can assume different forms. In the national networks, they frequently bridge research and downstream organisations, contributing to the dissemination of knowledge within the ecosystem. In the international networks, their most important role may be as connectors and conveyors of advanced knowledge produced in external knowledge environments
- Spatial diffusion and the formation of a technological innovation system in the receiving country: The case of wind energy in PortugalPublication . Bento, Nuno; Fontes, MargaridaThis 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 energyPublication . Bento, Nuno; Fontes, MargaridaThis 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.
- Redes sociais e empreendedorismo em biotecnologia : o processo de clusterização em torno de núcleos regionais de produção de conhecimentoPublication . Fontes, Margarida; Sousa, Cristina; Videira, PedroEste artigo3 aborda a aglomeração de novas empresas de biotecnologia em torno de núcleos de produção de conhecimento, centrando-se no papel das redes sociais no acesso ao conhecimento científico e tecnológico. A abordagem toma em consideração o impacto de várias formas de proximidade – geográfica, social, cognitiva e organizacional – no desenvolvimento de relações chave e na sua utilização para obter conhecimento científico e tecnológico. Tal permite aferir a importância relativa de fontes de conhecimento próximas e distantes e explicar as decisões tomadas pelos empreendedores em termos de mobilização das redes que lhes dão acesso. Na exploração empírica recorre-se a uma metodologia para reconstruir as redes sociais e medir os diferentes tipos de proximidade.
- The construction of a new technological innovation system in a follower country: wind energy in PortugalPublication . Bento, Nuno; Fontes, MargaridaThis 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.
- Resultados do inquérito às empresas spin-offs de investigação: relatório do projecto REBASPINOFFPublication . Rodrigues, Cláudia; Videira, Pedro; Fontes, Margarida