Socio-technical transitions and innovation niches: the case of the virtual and augmented reality in Europe

Patrizio Giganti; Pasquale Marcello Falcone; Patrizio Giganti; Pasquale Marcello Falcone

doi:10.3934/energy.2021035

AIMS Energy

2021, Volume 9, Issue 4: 755-774. doi: 10.3934/energy.2021035

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Research article Special Issues

Socio-technical transitions and innovation niches: the case of the virtual and augmented reality in Europe

Patrizio Giganti ¹,
Pasquale Marcello Falcone ^{2
,
,}

1.
Unitelma Sapienza, University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome (Italy)
2.
Department of Business and Economics, University of Naples Parthenope, Via Generale Parisi, 13, 80132 Naples (Italy)

Received: 12 April 2021 Accepted: 15 June 2021 Published: 21 June 2021

The paper investigates the socio-technical transition pathways related to innovation niches formation merging the theoretical framework of Strategic Niche Management (SNM) with the Social Network Analysis (SNA) technique. Specifically, focusing on the niche of the virtual and augmented reality, this work tries to shed light on the understanding of the niche development and the related transition towards sustainability. Combining SNM with SNA and utilizing a specific taxonomy, the study allows appreciating the actual cognitive interaction among niche members that determine the transition to succeed. Results show that the investigated niche is characterized by an embryonic stage of development which needs a better support to advance technological shift in order to reinforce the link between Industry 4.0 paradigm and Circular Economy (CE).
- Socio-technical Transition,
- Strategic Niche Management,
- Social Network Analysis,
- Circular Economy,
- Virtual Reality,
- Augmented Reality, Europe
Citation: Patrizio Giganti, Pasquale Marcello Falcone. Socio-technical transitions and innovation niches: the case of the virtual and augmented reality in Europe[J]. AIMS Energy, 2021, 9(4): 755-774. doi: 10.3934/energy.2021035

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Abstract

The paper investigates the socio-technical transition pathways related to innovation niches formation merging the theoretical framework of Strategic Niche Management (SNM) with the Social Network Analysis (SNA) technique. Specifically, focusing on the niche of the virtual and augmented reality, this work tries to shed light on the understanding of the niche development and the related transition towards sustainability. Combining SNM with SNA and utilizing a specific taxonomy, the study allows appreciating the actual cognitive interaction among niche members that determine the transition to succeed. Results show that the investigated niche is characterized by an embryonic stage of development which needs a better support to advance technological shift in order to reinforce the link between Industry 4.0 paradigm and Circular Economy (CE).

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