Institutional analysis of research and socialization in housing : a preliminary exploration

This paper is one of a series prepared under the sponsorship of DOE's Photovoltaic(PV) Program as part of the institutional analysis of housing. It considers research and socialization functions of housing. In addition to a brief discussion of the theory and methods of institutional analysis, the paper presents a brief historical review of building in the US, identi- fying an historic heritage for the independence of institutional entities in the building industry. A review of the building industry's response to innovation (including a brief description of the introduction of PVC piping) suggests that the industry may be characterized as fragmented and localized, with many actors, each responsive to the dispositions of all others (especially the ultimate source of motivation, the consumer and his/her purchasing power). The building industry is structured such that no single actor predominates, but that any or several may be the source of either facilitation or obstruction of innovation. Overcoming economic and technological constraints is not enough. Given the normative importance of housing, anything identified as "new and different" will meet resistance, while innovations labelled as providing "the same with less uncertainty" will find a more willing audience.Prepared under Dept. of Energy Contract no. EX-76-A-01-2295, Task order no. 37

Institutional analysis of housing production : a preliminary exploration

This paper is one of a series resulting from institutional analysis of photovoltaic acceptance. It presents an initial inquiry into the housing production process, assuming a private sector perspective. Combined with other papers in this series, it forms a basis for institutional analysis of the DOE-HUD Solar Heating and Cooling demonstration program. In this paper the housing production process is characterized by six stages: * Building Concept -- the generation of an idea * Building Design -- establishing uses, designs, specifications * Building Finance -- price estimation and obtaining funds * Construction -- actual physical production * Service and Occupancy -- maintenance, management, repair, improvement, additions * Distribution -- sale, resale, refinance.c The final element, team selection, involves choosing persons and/or organizations appropriate to complete each aspect of housing production; it occurs through- out the process. Each of the stages is discussed, noting activities, actors, and constraints.Prepared under Dept. of Energy Contract no.EX-76-A-01-2295, Task order no.37

Institutional analysis of standard setting in the United States : a preliminary exploration

This paper, one of a series resulting from institutional analysis of photovoltaic (PV) acceptance, discusses standards and the standard setting process in the United States. Standards, and the manner in which standards are established, can play a significant role in facilitating or impeding the acceptance of solar technologies. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of standards for those concerned with ensuring the timely and appropriate acceptance of needed new energy sources in diverse economic and geographic sectors. The paper has three sections. The first provides a conceptual framework for understanding standards. The second section discusses a number of approaches for categorizing standards. Finally, the third section identifies the processes employed and the persons and organizations involved in the standards development process in the US.Prepared under Dept. of Energy Contract no. EX-76-A-01-2295, Task order no. 37

Center pivot irrigation in Nebraska : an institutional analysis case study

This paper is one of a series resulting from institutional analysis of photovoltaic (PV) acceptance. It reports the results of a study of institutional factors influencing acceptance of center-pivot irrigation in the Nebraska agricultural community. Center-pivot irrigation (CP) was an interesting topic for study because (1) it was a major recently introduced technological innovation in agriculture which (2) had potentially detrimental attributes--water and energy intensity. A brief historical review of the introduction and acceptance of center-pivot irrigation in the Nebraska agricultural community is presented. Institutions which were a likely part of this institutional arena relative to CP introduction and acceptance were identified. Their likely responses were hypothesized, then data collected regarding actual response. Three broad conslusions are drawn. First, there were definite, even controlling institutional influences in the acceptance of CP in the Nebraska agricultural community. Second, acceptance was facilitated in the Nebraska agricultural community because the innovation differentiation process yielded secondary attributes of CP that met prevailing social orders--productivity, automation, and felt need. Third, the innovation differentiation process for CP in the Nebraska agricultural community yielded both transformation and disconnection of detrimental attributes, creating the circumstances for attribute redefinition in the first instance and another innovation in the second instance.DOE Contract no. EX-76-A-01-2295

Institutional analysis of daytime radio : an overview of the broadcast industry

One of a series of papers as part of the institutional analysis of acceptance of photovoltaic (PV) energy, this paper presents an exploration of the radio broadcasting sector in the US. Organized according to the seven functions fulfilled by institutions -- political, regulatory, socialization, production, financial, research,and service -- the paper shows that the radio broadcasting industry is strongly focused and centralized at the federal level in terms of the political and regulatory functions. The other strong force influencing the nature of the industry is the mutual dependency between radio stations and advertisers. Subsequent papers in this series will complete the institutional analysis of a field test of PV in the daytime radio area.Prepared under Dept. of Energy Contract no. EX-76-A-01-2295, Task order no.37

Solar heating and cooling standard setting : an institutional analysis case study

Photovoltaics ProjectAs a companion to other studies of the standards problem for photovoltaics, this paper reports results of an institutional analysis case study of the effort to create solar thermal standards during the period 1974-78. The standards setting institutional arena is described. In the US, most standards are achieved through a voluntary consensus process; there are mandatory standards only when referenced or formally adopted by a governmental body. The justification most frequently offered for having two systems is that the voluntary consensus approach resolves primarily technical issues, while the mandatory system encompasses political questions. This study found that the solar standards development process from 1974-78 was characterized by * a horizontal rather than vertical structure; * extensive public prompting, albeit by agencies for which standards development is at best a secondary mission; * rapid acceptance of the concept of solar energy, despite continuing and considerable technical debate. It is concluded that the development of standards is a story of the interaction of self-interest, and that the failure to account for significant interests (whether technical or political) can effectively scuttle a standard development effort. For the case reported here, the process for the development of solar standards was inclusive of many interests, and, as a consequence, appeared to proceed at a rapid rate. However solar standards development is entering a second stage, with the consumer/producer debate (the "political" dimension) assuming a more central role

Institutional analysis of governmental involvement in housing : a preliminary exploration

This paper, one of a series resulting from institutional analysis of photovoltaic (PV) acceptance, provides a preliminary exploration of governmental acitvities in the housing sector. It is based on theoretical formulations and utilizes methods developed in an earlier paper in this series. The housing process is examined in terms of seven institutional functions -- finance, research, political, regulation, production, service, and socialization -- from a governmental perspective. It is concluded that the federal government is most active in providing for finance, research, and political functions. State and local governments tend to perform the bulk of the regulation functions, though recent trends show increased federal involvement in large-scale regulation, through such mechanisms as the Environmental Impact Statement. The production, service, and socialization functions tend to be performed as a result of the direct realization of the first four.Prepared under Dept. of Energy Contract no. EX-76-A-01-2295, Task order no.37

Institutional analysis of the acceptance of photovoltaics in daytime radio broadcasting

Photovoltaics Project.This paper, one of a series resulting from institutional analysis of photovoltaic (PV) acceptance, is undertaken in relation to a field test of PV applicability for use by a small-scale daytime AM radio station. Hypotheses in five areas of institutional comprehension of PV as an innovation are pro- posed. The five areas are: (1) decision structure of the station; (2) technical knowledge of the decision-maker; (3) prior information about solar energy of the decision-maker; (4) image potential of the field test to the station; and (5) financial contribution of the station. In the course of data collection, a sixth area -- the PON-RFP process -- was identified. Thirty-one radio stations which met the requirements for potential test site were studied to determine the institutional factors influencing their disposition to accept PV. The findings reveal a considerable capability on the part of small, daytime radio stations to deal with technologically based information about solar energy, coupled with a strong commitment to the encouragement of its broader use. Many revealed a considerable familiarity with solar energy applications, but did not view its use in their setting as primarily contributing to their station's image. Stations had limited financial resources for participation in the project, but more importantly, were confused about the project's de- mands on these resources, because of their unfamiliarity with the PON-RFP process. This last finding is an interesting example of how money may be misused as a proxy variable, and how this misuse can be a major barrier to facilitating innovation acceptance

Institutional analysis of the National Park Service : |b a preliminary exploration

This paper is one of a series resulting from the institutional analysis of photovoltaic (PV) acceptance. It reports the results of an initial exploration of the federal non-defense arena. This exploration was undertaken in connection with a PV field test at the Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah. This field test is a collaborative venture of the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Park Service (NPS). As the procuring agency, NPS is the focus for the paper, serving as an example of institutional action in the federal non-defense arena. Like others in this arena, NPS is involved in the legislative process, as well as program implementati;on. The primary mission of the National Park Service is to make federally-owned land available to the public in a manner which enhances the use and enjoyment ;.of natural and historic resource. NPS has nearly 300 operating units. It is organized by regions, and has two service centers (the larger of which is in Denver) which provide a variety of technical and support services to the operating units. The most important operating units are national parks, monuments and historic sites. Procurements contributing to program activities are guided by federal and agency regulation. One regulation limits procurements to proven technologies, which constitutes a formal barrier to innovation acceptance.Prepared under Dept. of Energy contract no. EX-76-A-01-2295, Task order no.37

Photovoltaics and the National Park Service : an institutional analysis

On cover: Energy Laboratory Utility Systems Program.This paper is one of a series resulting from institutional analysis of photovoltaic (PV) acceptance. The case reported here involves the acceptance of PV by the National Park Service. As part of the Department of the Interior, the NPS is an agency exemplifying the federal non- defense sector. A modified.organizational set model which concentrates on exchanges between and among organizational set elements, was used in this study. Though initially the inquiry from the Department of Energy to NPS to do a PV field test at a NPS site was considered the perturba- tion prompter, preliminary exploration showed an earlier perturbation-- the need for energy conservation. The differentiations which followed on this perturbation provided an envelope within which PV was subsequently considered and accepted. This envelope made an otherwise incompre- hensible innovation more comprehensible by its association with an ongoing routine of acceptance of energy conservation initiatives. The critical role of the NPS's Denver Service Center as an innovation mediator is described. The DSC serves such a function routinely for the NPS, a reality which greatly enhances the likelihood of acceptance of innovations disseminated through this institutional entity