DOI
10.1016/j.techfore.2016.08.018

Summary
This study is concerned with the Technological Innovation System (TIS) building for diffusion of renewable energy technology.

 

Kebede & Mitsufuji state that past studies on TIS analysis have primarily been focussed on developed countries and their innovation systems. Here, they focus on classifying TIS into R&D-based TIS and diffusion-based TIS and empirically assess the formation of diffusion-based solar photovoltaic (PV) in Ethiopia. The study utilises the common publication author, Hekkert et al, and their system functions and indicators for their TIS approach. These are summarised in Table 1.

Kebede & Mitsufuji begin by conducting a review of literature relevant to global electricity supply and the use of solar PV. They then focus on the African context of solar PV. The theoretical background of innovation systems and their application to developing countries

The methodology used for this research is a case study approach as described by Yin (2009). The main part of the analysis involved Event Historical analysis (EHA). Data collection was conducted from desk research, interviews, focus group discussions and field observations.

The structural components of the solar PV TIS in Ethiopia are described in section 4.




The diffusion of PV systems is hindered by:

lack of incentive for the private sector
poor standardisation
poor taxation system
lack of proper promotion and awareness campaigns
poor linkage among solar actors

Relevance for Complex Systems Knowledge
Kebede & Mitsufuji focus on TIS development based off R&D and diffusion in the context of developing countries. Here, they use Ethiopia as their case example. The theoretical background section provides useful insights into the application of TIS in developing countries seeing as this was one Kebede & Mitsufuji’s study objectives. The emphasis in the context of developing (technology receiving) countries lies on: 1. Introducing technologies from industrialised countries and 2. Aiming for adaptation, usage and generation of further innovations.

The authors use great visual aids that easily depict the system functions as the develop over tome. These graphics would be useful for teaching.

Carlson & Stankieweicz defined technological systems as “a dynamic network of agents interacting in a specific economic/industrial area under a particular institutional infrastructure or set of infrastructures and involved in the generation, diffusion, and utilisation of technology” .

 

Point of Strength
The paper addresses the perceived under representation of TIS analysis in developing countries. Because one of their aims to address this perceived issue, the literature reviewed in the introduction and theoretical background sections offer more insight into this specific issue than a similar TIS study on a developing country that did not identify this issue as an objective of the study.




The data collection methodology was delivered as “the major methodological steps followed in this study included”. The text that followed was easily followed in comparison to other TIS analysis papers. This could be a valuable reference resource for the teaching of TIS analysis methodologies.




Table A2 presents a graphic I am yet to see in other TIS analysis papers. It clearly represents how the different system functions played various roles in chronological order. This would be a useful resource for teaching and it also addressees a highlighted issue from other authors for a lack of visual aids being used in these studies. This is also true for fig 3 which cleverly depicts the spread of weight as functions develop.