Work

Conditions for a successful latecomer development in green technologies

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Innovation indicators show a strong increase in capabilities of latecomer countries in green technologies over the last 20 years. Latecomers have become leading origin of green technology publications, hold 27 per cent of green technology patents and 38 per cent of green technology exports. There is considerable heterogeneity between latecomer countries, indicating that each country follows a specific path that reflects domestic strengths and weaknesses. A review of existing case studies for wind energy, photovoltaics, hydrogen technologies, and (environmentally-friendly) mining technologies shows a set of driving factors for successful latecomer development emerges from typical case studies. We suggest a taxonomy for success factors for green technology latecomer development which consists of characteristics of the specific technology, active demand side and industrial policies of the state, openness to global markets, and exploitation of windows of opportunities with regard to geographical factors.

Source: Science and Public Policy

DOI: 10.1093/scipol/scaf088

Authors: Rainer Walz, Michiko Iizuka, Rasmus Lema

Institutions: Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, University of Johannesburg, United Nations University – Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Energy and Environmental Sustainability

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Affordable and clean energy, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,608