Doing Institutional Analysis of Innovation Systems

1
Doing Institutional Analysis of Innovation Systems

• A proposal to structure the debate and
  implications for transition research
• Harald Rohracher, IFZ, Graz
• Bernhard Truffer, Jochen Markard, CIRUS/EAWAG

2
Background and argument

• Focus on technology-specific innovation systems
  (TIS)
• Development and dynamics of sociotechnical
  systems
• Interrelation of actors, institutions,
  technologies
• Structuring institutional analysis
• middle ground between abstract reference to
  rules and norms and scattered specific
  examples
• Institutional coupling of TIS with contextual
  innovation systems (sectoral, regional, national)
• Institutional matches/mismatches as shaping force
  of TIS
• Dynamic relationship of TIS and sectoral
  innovation system
• TIS co-dynamics with sector / regime

3
National, sectoral and technological systems of
innovations
4
Levels of institutional analysis

• 5 levels with decreasing permanence/durability
• Institutions rules and norms
• Regulative (public policies, regulatory
  framework)
• Normative informal value commitments, social
  norms
• Cultural-cognitive mental frames, paradigms,
  expectations
• Institutional arrangements
• Coordination of actors markets, hierarchies and
  networks, the state, associations, communities
• 2 dimensions power distribution self vs
  community
• Economic sectors characterised by typical
  configurations of institutional arrangements
• Mix of institutional arrangements certain
  incoherence in governance structures vs
  diversity/adaptability

5
Levels of institutional analysis contd

• Institutional sectors
• Comparable to organizational fields all
  organizations in a society which supply a given
  service or product
• Examples financial system, research, education,
  business system (industrial relations etc.)
• Production sectors are also institutional
  sectors and can be analysed at different
  institutional levels
• Organisations
• Controversial institutional or actor dimension
  can be stressed
• Outputs and performance
• Services, products, court rulings etc.

6
Institutional couplings with TIS





Type of coupling (direction of coupling
Effect on TIS performance / functions
type of institutional fit)
(can affect specific functions only)
Scope for policy / opportunities for change
Sector
-
specific research, finance etc.

sectors


7
Relational dynamics of TIS and sector
Sectoral governance

patterns
Defensive /
reactive

Open / reflexive
Strength of IS



Type of

relationship


High

Regime
transformation
type


Path dynamics






Type of

relationship



Low

Regime
transformation
type


Pa
th dynamics