A network perspective on sociotechnical transitions : The emergence of the electronic book

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.The sociotechnical system of print-on-paper for the dissemination of textual information prevails despite widespread concerns about its sustainability. On the basis of sociotechnical transitions theory the print-on-paper system is perceived as a regime. Information technology is identified as one of the generic technologies that has the potential to address the unsustainability of the incumbent regime. Its potential effects are examined through the development of the electronic book, which is defined as those IT applications providing an alternative form of textual display to printed paper. Yet, such applications have remained marginal. According to sociotechnical transitions theory the electronic book can be seen as a niche in relation to the print-on-paper regime. An alternative conceptualisation of transitions as a process of network reconfiguration is suggested. On that basis, the electronic book is depicted as a number of emergent innovation networks. Social Network Analysis methods informed by network approaches to innovation theory are applied to visualise and discuss these emergent networks. In one of the representations, the electronic book is mapped as a sociotechnical network including organisations, users and technologies. It emerges that network formation often transgresses a distinct niche-regime divide. Patterns of network interaction are explored and assessed as to whether they represent a sociotechnical transition in progress. The analysis reveals different patterns of network formation which are indicative of prospective sociotechnical trajectories where different concepts of the electronic book are emphasised. It emerges that the discussion of sustainability and the emergence of the electronic book remain largely unlinked

Range extenders: An innovative approach to range anxiety in electric vehicles

Electric vehicles have been a source of major innovation but the problem of vehicle range persists. Range extenders, auxiliary power units that can be attached to vehicles as a trailer, seek to solve the problem by providing additional range during longer journeys. This study uses patent data, Social Network Analysis and qualitative data to examine the development of this technology. It finds that small firms have made significant progress in technological terms and have also designed credible business models. They have met resistance from larger vehicle manufacturers, however, whose preference is to wait for developments in battery density despite great uncertainty as to when these will come

Sustainable energy projects and the community: mapping single building use of microgeneration technologies in London

Microgeneration technologies offer the potential for distributed energy supply and consumption resulting in reduced reliance on centralised generation. Adoption of microgeneration for use in community settings is usually understood as having a beneficial contribution to sustainable development. This is particularly relevant in urban environments which present specific challenges relating to the heterogeneity of building and land use. Small-scale installations in buildings also appear to offer technological flexibility at the ‘human’ level, necessary for local participation in shaping the direction of sustainable development. This paper reports on a project concerned with identifying on-site energy generation projects in Greater London. A database was compiled comprising renewable and energy efficient microgeneration installations in multi-occupancy buildings. The relationships between each project and its associated organisations are mapped as a social network, which illustrates the heterogeneity of technologies and actors involved, as well as the flows of funding and expertise. The structure of the resulting networks indicates a lack of participation by social or not-for-profit groups who are traditionally identified as community level actors. The findings indicate that large institutional actors on the supply side may become regarded as renewable energy experts. Hence, there is a need to consider how the concept of community level actors in urban microgeneration projects is applicable to local government and commercial organisations

The art hub in the World Heritage Site, Georgetown: a case study of creative sector entrepreneurship in the context of gentrification

This research examines the role of an art organisation, which operates largely as a social enterprise, in responding to the issues of gentrification and the resulting displacement of communities embodying the local culture in Georgetown, Malaysia. The case study art hub has developed into an internationally acclaimed space for innovative ventures including an art gallery and units for arts, craft and food entrepreneurs. The research method includes first stage questionnaire and in-depth interviews to understand the managing strategies and innovation practices. With their innovative business strategies, the art organisation forms an extended network with the local art community and is positioned as the focal point in a mini entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through the case study in Georgetown, Malaysia, the research contributes to the understanding of the strength and challenges of innovative social entrepreneurship for cultural and creative organisations

Is innovation happening in George Towns's creative and cultural sectors? A comparative analysis between traditional and modern organisations

George Town World Heritage Site in Penang, Malaysia is well-endowed with creative and cultural resources, and has recently witnessed a rise in relevant activities. This study examines how 'innovation culture' is inculcated and embedded within two local organisations with distinct approaches to innovation. We adapted the measurements of entrepreneurship orientation constructs (innovativeness, risk-taking, pro-activeness), and conducted semi-structured interviews and archival study on the organisations and their networks. We documented the linkages in their value chains to understand the resulting social networks and whether such network fosters the incubation of an innovation cluster for the local creative and cultural sectors

Adult-onset dominant muscular dystrophy in Greek families caused by Annexin A11

Objective: Mutations in the prion-like domain of RNA binding proteins cause dysfunctional stress responses and associated aggregate pathology in patients with neurogenic and myopathic phenotypes. Recently, mutations in ANXA11 have been reported in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multisystem proteinopathy. Here we studied families with an autosomal dominant muscle disease caused by ANXA11:c.118G > T;p.D40Y. Methods: We performed deep phenotyping and exome sequencing of patients from four large Greek families, including seven affected individuals with progressive muscle disease but no family history of multi-organ involvement or ALS. Results: In our study, all patients presented with an autosomal dominant muscular dystrophy without any Paget disease of bone nor signs of frontotemporal dementia or Parkinson's disease. Histopathological analysis showed rimmed vacuoles with annexin All accumulations. Electron microscopy analysis showed myofibrillar abnormalities with disorganization of the sarcomeric structure and Z-disc dissolution, and subsarcolemmal autophagic material with myeloid formations. Molecular genetic analysis revealed ANXA11:c.118G > T;p.D4OY segregating with the phenotype. Interpretation: Although the pathogenic mechanisms associated with p.D4OY mutation in the prion-like domain of Annexin All need to be further clarified, our study provides robust and clear genetic evidence to support the expansion of the phenotypic spectrum of ANXA11.Peer reviewe

An innovative social enterprise: roles of and challenges faced by an arts hub in a World Heritage Site in Malaysia

This research examines the roles of an arts hub in George Town, Malaysia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Operating largely as a social enterprise, it has fostered links between the local cultural sector, international arts actors, local communities, and tourists. But this innovative approach does encounter some challenges. This research employed a structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews with key persons, to understand the adopted management strategies and innovation practices. The arts hub has converted a derelict bus depot into an arts space serving both artists and local communities. This place-making effort has gained international acclaims for its innovations and community engagement. But it is a “meanwhile” space, precarious in nature due to land development threats as it is located at the edge of the old city centre, just outside of the world heritage site regulated zone. It also faces challenges in financial sustainability; further innovation in its business model is warranted particularly in revenue model innovation and partnership-building with the public sector and the tourism industry. The organisation is the focal point of an extended international and local art community in a mini-entrepreneurial ecosystem. It survives by finding innovative ways, taking some risks to obtain resources, retain and nurture talent, and reach out to the community. The research helps to provide a greater understanding of the potential roles and challenges faced by innovative social enterprises in the cultural and creative sector worldwide

Nouvelle donne pour l’innovation dans les petites entreprises: processus et outils [Innovation in small businesses: processes and tools]

Executive Summary Recommendations for the development of the innovator’s toolkit. The report summarises the key difficulties small businesses face regarding innovation. Small businesses face some pertinent problems such as lack of strategic thinking time and limited access to resources. On the other hand, increased flexibility and responsiveness to market are usually defined as the advantages of innovating small businesses (Keizer et al., 2002; Boldrini et al., 2011). The development of the toolkit should build on these identified strengths and weaknesses. In particular, the suggested tools should take into account the limited time small businesses managers have to engage in strategic thinking about innovation: tools should be packaged in forms needing minimal support and preparation. Most NDI project partners are organisations engaged in business support that will be active in the delivery of the toolkit. There is some evidence that relations between business support organisations and small businesses are complex and difficult for many firms to navigate. One implication for the toolkit design is that the method of delivery and the role of the support agencies may be equally important to the tools themselves. A suggestion may be that businesses are provided with a sole point of contact to ensure continuity in the business-support agency relationship. The survey will test whether particular tools suit different modes of delivery. The literature review conducted for this report has helped define the themes that should be further explored in the survey. There are sufficient data regarding the type of innovation small businesses engage in and the obstacles they face but less regarding the “black-boxed” innovation process. A particular challenge for NDI is that the project focuses on sectors that are not traditionally considered innovative: the “artisanal” sectors have attracted less interest than high-technology firms. The survey will aim to cover this gap by collecting data on innovation processes in small businesses (origins and realisation of innovative ideas). Collaborative or more broadly open innovation was a further theme emerging in the literature. Collaboration allows small businesses to draw on resources that are not available and cannot be developed in-house. One of the roles of support agencies is to promote inter-firm linkages. The questionnaire survey will consider the role of collaborative relations and experience with support programmes in fostering innovation. The aim of the NDI project is to develop a toolkit that small businesses can use in developing their innovation projects. The research for this report has resulted in the following implications for the design of the toolkit: 1. Need to develop diagnostic tools / “innovation audits” to evaluate the needs and potential of SMEs. Widely used innovation indicators such as investment in R&D are not as suitable for measuring innovation in small businesses. Alternative indicators such as investment in skills and staff development may be more suited to small businesses. 2. How to aid small businesses develop the “absorptive capacity” to benefit from collaboration while at the same time building on the benefits of existing small business expertise. 3. Consider the potential of mentoring schemes and SME-university collaboration in achieving knowledge transfer to small businesses. 4. Consider how businesses can build beneficial contacts with potential partners (other small firms or larger firms, business support organisations and research/training institutes). Some evidence in support of these programmes is already available from the partners. Firms can benefit from a wider variety of links with diverse organisations. 5. Identify what role the partner organisations will have in the delivery of the tools: in particular, distinguish between the roles of general business support organisations and sector specific agencies. Alignment between tools and delivery methods should be considered

A barrier and techno-economic analysis of small-scale bCHP (biomass combined heat and power) schemes in the UK

bCHP (Biomass combined heat and power) systems are highly efficient at smaller-scales when a significant proportion of the heat produced can be effectively utilised for hot water, space heating or industrial heating purposes. However, there are many barriers to project development and this has greatly inhibited deployment in the UK. Project viability is highly subjective to changes in policy, regulation, the finance market and the low cost fossil fuel incumbent. The paper reviews the barriers to small-scale bCHP project development in the UK along with a case study of a failed 1.5MWel bCHP scheme. The paper offers possible explanations for the project's failure and suggests adaptations to improve the project resilience. Analysis of the project's: capital structuring contract length and bankability; feedstock type and price uncertainty, and plant oversizing highlight the negative impact of the existing project barriers on project development. The research paper concludes with a discussion on the effects of these barriers on the case study project and this industry more generally. A greater understanding of the techno-economic effects of some barriers for small-scale bCHP schemes is demonstrated within this paper, along with some methods for improving the attractiveness and resilience of projects of this kind