Template-type: ReDif-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Turkeli S. 
Author-Name: Kemp R.P.M. 
Author-workplace-name: UNU-MERIT
Title: The political economy of research and innovation in organic photovoltaics (OPV) in different world regions
Abstract: Purpose In this paper, we examine the status, prospects and  organization of OPV research, innovation and governance in three major  world regions Northern America, Western Europe and East Asia through  our constructed evolutionary cognitive-institutional framework of  reference.     Method We gathered data from a 65-question internet-based survey  conducted from February 2013 to April 2013 with OPV researchers and  research managers around the world. A multi-method  investigative/exploratory, descriptive statistics approach is used for  analyses and discussions.     Results Overall findings show that the organization of OPV research,  innovation and governance in Northern America, Western Europe and East  Asia reflect similar aspects, patterns with their political economies  surveyed in the literature Northern Americas neo-liberal market and  finance orientation, Western Europes orientation to sustainable  development and policy-driven research, coordinated-regulatory  inspirations and research-driven system, and East Asias  neo-developmental state view with international trade, technology-export  orientation. Commercialization prospects in China are lowest and highest  in the US but even there expectations of market sales are low. As a  disruptive technology which is competing with older generations of PV  and other energy technologies, OPV requires a coordinated effort  involving international cooperation, the use of public and private  money. Positive elements of the three world regions availability of  venture capital in the US, the meritocratic research system and  ambitious goals for renewable energy in the EU, and the willingness of  the Chinese government to back sunrise industries could be usefully  exploited.     Keywords Political Economy, Emerging Energy Technology, Research,  Innovation, Governance, Organic Photovoltaics
Keywords: Technological Change: Government Policy; Capitalist Systems: Political Economy; Comparative Analysis of Economic Systems; Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation; 
Classification-JEL: P16; P51; O38; Q55; .
Series:  Working Papers
Creation-Date: 2014
Number: 039
File-URL: http://pub.maastrichtuniversity.nl/91478f7b-0598-4ff2-abca-6baeb9a635dc
File-Format: application/pdf
File-Size: 1155546
Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2014039