Theoretical perspectives on innovation 57
that has existed for a long period of time, as routinised practices tend to
become institutionalised both socially and materially over time. Indeed, for
innovation collaborations, there is little empirical evidence that the bioeconomy entails intensified cross- industry collaboration (Bauer, Hansen & Hellsmark, 2018). This form of path dependence and lock- in (see below) within
given socio- technical systems may well prevent or slow down innovation and
change (David, 1985; Martin & Sunley, 2006). The policies and institutions
that have emerged to serve and support practices of a given production
regime also hold implications for innovation, as existing institutions often
reflect the interests and perspectives of the actors that make up these systems.
Consequently, changing established practices and waste systems may be challenging due to the existing incentive structures and institutional set- up.
Contributions within evolutionary economic geography have supplemented such a systemic view on path dependence with a historical and
evolutionary approach to studying patterns of regional path dependence.
The argument here is that the portfolios and competencies of existing industrial actors will often condition the future paths and scenarios for a given
sector or region (Boschma, 2015; Boschma & Frenken, 2006, 2011a, 2011b).
To summarise, path dependence may be caused by several factors, both
tangible and intangible. In this regard, investments in heavy physical infrastructures and material equipment may be a barrier to change. Repeated
social practice and habits may likewise cause segmented cultures and values,
which may also serve to prevent or slow down change and innovation. In
practice, different combinations of tangible and intangible factors are likely to
restrict or limit change and innovation.
In addition to possessing different roles and being subject to valorisation
relative to various waste systems, the practices within a given system might
constitute barriers towards moving upwards in the waste pyramid. For
example, improving and optimising a recycling system might become
dependent on generating waste as an input to this system, which would
therefore create no incentives for aiming at a waste prevention system. In this
sense the established actors, practices, institutions and infrastructures of existing waste valorisation systems might be barriers to a more sustainable system
change.
3.4.2 Lock- in mechanisms
Klitkou, Bolwig, Hansen and Wessberg (2015) have developed an analytical
framework for systematically studying the role of lock- in mechanisms in
transition processes. They understand lock- in mechanisms as “mechanisms,
which reinforce a certain pathway of economic, technological, industrial and
institutional development and can lead to path dependence” (ibid., p. 23).
Klitkou et al. (2015) observed that there could be interactions between lockin mechanisms, such as between learning effects, network externalities and
technological interrelatedness, which are reinforcing each other, while other
that has existed for a long period of time, as routinised practices tend to
become institutionalised both socially and materially over time. Indeed, for
innovation collaborations, there is little empirical evidence that the bioeconomy entails intensified cross- industry collaboration (Bauer, Hansen & Hellsmark, 2018). This form of path dependence and lock- in (see below) within
given socio- technical systems may well prevent or slow down innovation and
change (David, 1985; Martin & Sunley, 2006). The policies and institutions
that have emerged to serve and support practices of a given production
regime also hold implications for innovation, as existing institutions often
reflect the interests and perspectives of the actors that make up these systems.
Consequently, changing established practices and waste systems may be challenging due to the existing incentive structures and institutional set- up.
Contributions within evolutionary economic geography have supplemented such a systemic view on path dependence with a historical and
evolutionary approach to studying patterns of regional path dependence.
The argument here is that the portfolios and competencies of existing industrial actors will often condition the future paths and scenarios for a given
sector or region (Boschma, 2015; Boschma & Frenken, 2006, 2011a, 2011b).
To summarise, path dependence may be caused by several factors, both
tangible and intangible. In this regard, investments in heavy physical infrastructures and material equipment may be a barrier to change. Repeated
social practice and habits may likewise cause segmented cultures and values,
which may also serve to prevent or slow down change and innovation. In
practice, different combinations of tangible and intangible factors are likely to
restrict or limit change and innovation.
In addition to possessing different roles and being subject to valorisation
relative to various waste systems, the practices within a given system might
constitute barriers towards moving upwards in the waste pyramid. For
example, improving and optimising a recycling system might become
dependent on generating waste as an input to this system, which would
therefore create no incentives for aiming at a waste prevention system. In this
sense the established actors, practices, institutions and infrastructures of existing waste valorisation systems might be barriers to a more sustainable system
change.
3.4.2 Lock- in mechanisms
Klitkou, Bolwig, Hansen and Wessberg (2015) have developed an analytical
framework for systematically studying the role of lock- in mechanisms in
transition processes. They understand lock- in mechanisms as “mechanisms,
which reinforce a certain pathway of economic, technological, industrial and
institutional development and can lead to path dependence” (ibid., p. 23).
Klitkou et al. (2015) observed that there could be interactions between lockin mechanisms, such as between learning effects, network externalities and
technological interrelatedness, which are reinforcing each other, while other