Catching Recurring Waves: Low-Emission Vehicles, International Policy Developments and Firm Innovation Strategies

Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Forthcoming

47 Pages Posted: 24 Jun 2015

See all articles by Rene Bohnsack

Rene Bohnsack

University of Amsterdam Business School

Ans Kolk

University of Amsterdam Business School

Jonatan Pinkse

The University of Manchester - Manchester Business School

Date Written: June 23, 2015

Abstract

Low-emission vehicle (LEV) technologies have grown in the 1990s, but have since experienced fluctuating interest. Initially, electric vehicles (EVs) were the most promising technology. Most large car firms developed EVs and started bringing them to the market, in limited numbers. Yet, car firms halted their EV engagement around 2001 and focused on hybrid vehicles (HVs) and fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs) instead. Hybrids found their way into the product portfolios of most car manufacturers while FCVs failed to gain traction. In 2006, car firms again committed to EVs, and on a larger scale. To better understand recurring waves of firms’ low-emission-vehicle investments in the international context, this paper explores the influence of geographically-bound government policies on car firms’ innovation strategies. An analysis of archival data from 1997 to 2010 details LEV-specific developments per region/firm, and shows the complex interplay between policies on local, national and international levels and firms’ strategies. Three mechanisms seem to shape the international LEV trajectory: (1) international policy diffusion (vertically and horizontally), (2) firms’ international operations, (3) fit between policy requirements and firm capabilities. Heeding the call for a better geographical conceptualization of technological trajectories, this paper also proposes a framework that explains co-evolution between government policies and car manufacturers.

Keywords: low-emission vehicles; international policy; firm innovation; co-evolution

JEL Classification: D21, F23, H32, K32, L21, L52, L62, L98, M14, O31, O31

Suggested Citation

Bohnsack, Rene and Kolk, Ans and Pinkse, Jonatan, Catching Recurring Waves: Low-Emission Vehicles, International Policy Developments and Firm Innovation Strategies (June 23, 2015). Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2622214

Rene Bohnsack

University of Amsterdam Business School ( email )

Roetersstraat 18
Amsterdam, 1018WB
Netherlands

Ans Kolk (Contact Author)

University of Amsterdam Business School ( email )

Plantage Muidergracht 12
Amsterdam, 1018 TV
Netherlands
+31 20 525 4289 (Phone)
+31 20 525 5281 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.anskolk.eu

Jonatan Pinkse

The University of Manchester - Manchester Business School ( email )

Booth Street West
Manchester, M15 6PB
United Kingdom

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