Fraunhofer-Institut für System- und Innovationsforschung ISI

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  • Publication
    Pathways for enhancing sustainable mobility in emerging markets: Cost-benefit analysis and policy recommendations for recycling of electric-vehicle batteries in Thailand
    ( 2024)
    Chaianong, Aksornchan
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    Pharino, Chanathip
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    Langkau, Sabine orcid-logo
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    Limthongkul, Pimpa
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    Kunanusont, Nattanai
    To transition towards sustainable mobility in emerging economies, fostering the use of electric vehicles (EVs) is required. This necessitates the development of an efficient management system for end-of-life (EoL) EV batteries under a circular economy principle. Using Thailand as a case study, this paper provides a holistic analysis by developing a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) and deriving policy implications from the CBA results that consider stakeholder perspectives at the micro level and the uncertainties of future development. The findings suggest that the economies of scale (plant centralization) and the share of cathode chemistries play pivotal roles. In some cases, investment incentives may be required depending on the inflow of EoL batteries, technological advancements, and market volatility. A policy mix combining EoL volume-focused (i.e., enhancing battery collection rates/imports and establishing a clear policy roadmap for scaling up recycling operations) and monetary measures (i.e., taxes and financial subsidies) is essential to establish recycling facilities.
  • Publication
    Current and future roles of the automotive and ICT sectoral systems in autonomous driving - Using the innovation system approach to assess value chain transformation
    ( 2024)
    Grimm, Anna orcid-logo
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    Walz, Rainer orcid-logo
    In this paper, we assess the current and future roles of the automotive and the information and communication technology (ICT) sectoral systems in the provision of autonomous driving and draw conclusions on the potential configuration of the corresponding value chains. We approach the question of value chain transformation from an innovation system perspective, combining sectoral, national and technological perspectives on innovation systems. We introduce a supplementary function at the intersection of the sectoral and technological innovation systems that describes the interactions between the automotive and the ICT system. By choosing indicators that allow for the sectoral and national differentiation of activities, we are able to identify differences and similarities in engagement between the automotive and ICT sectors and countries. Furthermore, we find various and changing types of interactions and relationships, such as competition, cooperation or spill-over, between the sectoral systems. Our findings underline the relevance of contextual factors to the dynamics and design of innovation systems, based on which we propose an approach for integrating different perspectives into one study. We find the strength of the innovation system perspective in its structuring and holistic characteristics and demonstrate its applicability to the assessment of value chain transformation.
  • Publication
    Commentary: transitions research and sustainable tourism
    ( 2024)
    Köhler, Jonathan orcid-logo
    This commentary discusses the growing connections between sustainable tourism research and the sustainability transitions literature. The common ground between sustainability transitions and sustainable tourism starts from the problem definition of unsustainability in tourism and the consequent need for system change. Research into sustainable tourism engages with several areas discussed in the recent sustainability transitions research agenda. These include: understanding radical innovation for sustainability that involves (socio-technical) system level change; the politics and power struggles in transitions processes; organisational and industrial aspects of sustainability transitions; the geography of transitions; and ethical/just transitions. The papers in this special issue also show that evolutionary economic geography (EEG) views on sustainability transitions in tourism are in line with the concepts of innovation and change in the multi-level perspective on sustainability transitions (MLP). This should enable a fruitful interaction between the two fields of sustinability transitions and sustainable touism.
  • Publication
    Understanding career transitions of applied researchers to universities: evidence from Germany
    ( 2024)
    Garcia Chavez, Cecilia orcid-logo
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    Howoldt, David
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    Hoyer, Patrick
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    Karaulova, Maria
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    Kroll, Henning orcid-logo
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    Schubert, Torben orcid-logo
    This paper analyses the conditions and factors influencing non-university researchers’ career transitions back into academia. Using affiliation data in publications of German researchers, their cross-sector career transitions from the public research organisation Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and industry to universities are analysed. Although the rate of transitions is small, there are distinctive windows of opportunity at a junior career stage, especially for Fraunhofer researchers. Researchers who publish more and in more acclaimed journals, Fraunhofer researchers who co-publish with universities, and women are more likely to gain a university affiliation over the course of their career. These results indicate the influence of institutional proximity for cross-domain career transitions. The quality and impact of academic knowledge could be improved if the higher education sector was more open to recruitment of researchers from other sectors. Policy needs to target the barriers that preclude applied researchers from pursuing university careers.
  • Publication
    How R&D Subsidies Influence High-tech SMEs' Knowledge Creation through Universities
    ( 2024)
    Yuchen, Gao
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    Yang, Peipei
    ;
    Hu, Yimei
    The study examines the effect of public research and development (R&D) subsidies on the knowledge creation of high-tech small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through universities. It also tests two mediating pathways: R&D collaboration with universities and the recruitment of highly educated human resources. We use exclusive panel data from a survey of high-tech firms in Jiangsu Province, China, spanning the years 2010 to 2014. Our findings reveal that R&D subsidies can promote high-tech SMEs' knowledge creation through universities, and we further find that recruiting highly educated R&D human resources has a partial mediating effect. When subsidized SMEs are located in science parks, the effects of R&D subsidies on SMEs' knowledge creation are strengthened. Our research contributes to innovation policy studies and innovation systems research. Several important policy implications are also derived from this study.
  • Publication
    Electric bus charging scheduling problem considering charging infrastructure integrated with solar photovoltaic and energy storage systems
    ( 2024)
    Liu, Xiaohan
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    Yeh, Sonia
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    Plötz, Patrick orcid-logo
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    Ma, Wenxi
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    Li, Feng
    ;
    Ma, Xiaolei
    Bus fleet electrification is crucial in reducing urban mobility carbon emissions, but it increases charging demand on the power grid. This study focuses on a novel battery electric bus (BEB) charging scheduling problem involving solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage facilities. A mixed integer linear programming model is formulated to schedule BEB charging and control solar PV energy simultaneously. The model handles a range of realistic considerations, including heterogeneous BEBs regarding battery capacities, peak net charging power costs, flexible charging powers, and multi-route-multi-depot scheduling. A key point of our model is the introduction of variable charging power decisions designed to align BEB charging demands with solar PV production. The optimization objective is to minimize the sum of charging costs, carbon emission costs, energy storage costs, and revenue (negative cost) from solar PV energy sales. The model empowers public transport agencies to swiftly generate daily BEB charging schedules given daily solar and weather variations. A case study is performed in Beijing, China, utilizing actual bus trajectory data, weather conditions, solar irradiance, and detailed built environment data of bus depots. The results show that the proposed model can significantly reduce the operating cost and shift the charging loads by improving solar PV energy utilization.
  • Publication
    Forms of financial participation and acceptance of the energy transition - are there any relations?
    ( 2024)
    Breitschopf, Barbara orcid-logo
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    Keil, Julia
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    Burghard, Uta orcid-logo
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    Scheller, Fabian
    This study investigates the connection between financial participation and acceptance of the energy transition. It applies an extended concept of acceptance and financial participation. The analysis of the online survey suggests that there is a positive correlation between the two.
  • Publication
    The machinery value chain in Brazil: mapping for upgrading
    ( 2024)
    Reis, Cristina Froes de Borja
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    Blind, Knut orcid-logo
    This paper aims at mapping machinery value chains in Brazil to check the validity of the smiling curve and the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, investigating opportunities for upgrading. The empirical methodology is based on qualitative research among 50 machinery manufacturing companies in three steps: online survey, interviews, and poll. The main conclusion is that the executives in our sample are sceptical about the smiling curve in Brazil. The COVID-19 crisis seriously impacted most of the consulted machinery companies, and it has caused significant disruptions in their value chains. Companies that reduced their chain’s dependence on suppliers, relying on local networks and verticalization, had more hedge against those ruptures. The executives have shown eight fields of opportunities to upgrade in value chains. The paper contributes to the international literature on Management through its innovative methodology and insights for companies from developing countries.
  • Publication
    Innovationen im Wissenschaftsmanagement: "Gesellschaftliche Verantwortung stärken"
    ( 2024)
    Lindner, Ralf orcid-logo
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    Heyen, Nils orcid-logo
    Welche Rahmenbedingungen Forschende brauchen, um den gestiegenen gesellschaftlichen Erwartungen gerecht zu werden, und welche Unterstützungsangebote es hierfür gibt, skizzieren zwei Experten vom Fraunhofer-Institut für System- und Innovationsforschung.
  • Publication
    Strategic Foresight: Die Marke für die Zukunft wappnen
    ( 2024)
    Kimpeler, Simone orcid-logo
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    Kirstgen, Martin orcid-logo
    Wie können Entscheider heute eine robuste Zukunftsstrategie entwickeln, die den langfristigen Erfolg einer Marke sichert? Eine existentielle Frage angesichts der Polykrise, rasantem Wandel sowie zahlreichen Unwägbarkeiten, mit denen wir zu tun haben.