TY - JOUR

T1 - Path dependence and technological expectations in transport policy

T2 - The case of Finland and the UK

AU - Upham, Paul

AU - Kivimaa, Paula

AU - Virkamäki, Venla

PY - 2013/10

Y1 - 2013/10

N2 - This paper investigates path dependence and path creation in transport policy and related innovation policy in the case of Finland and the UK. The paper uses document content analysis and elite interviews, drawing on literatures on the relationship of institutional and policy path dependency to technological expectations and images of the policy problem. We find that although policy expectations and visions of transport system innovation are still very much focused on motor vehicle technology change in both countries, particularly technological substitution, there are nonetheless indications of acceptance of transport demand reduction policies, which in turn may be regarded as a form of social innovation. Given the importance of transport demand reduction as part of GHG emissions and congestion reduction strategies, there is a need to better understand how policy for social innovation is entering the sphere of transport and related innovation policy and how these processes might be supported.

AB - This paper investigates path dependence and path creation in transport policy and related innovation policy in the case of Finland and the UK. The paper uses document content analysis and elite interviews, drawing on literatures on the relationship of institutional and policy path dependency to technological expectations and images of the policy problem. We find that although policy expectations and visions of transport system innovation are still very much focused on motor vehicle technology change in both countries, particularly technological substitution, there are nonetheless indications of acceptance of transport demand reduction policies, which in turn may be regarded as a form of social innovation. Given the importance of transport demand reduction as part of GHG emissions and congestion reduction strategies, there is a need to better understand how policy for social innovation is entering the sphere of transport and related innovation policy and how these processes might be supported.

KW - Expectations

KW - Innovation

KW - Policy path dependency social innovation

KW - Technological substitution

KW - Transport

KW - Sustainability sciences, Communication

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84883430427&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2013.08.004

DO - 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2013.08.004

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:84883430427

VL - 32

SP - 12

EP - 22

JO - Journal of Transport Geography

JF - Journal of Transport Geography

SN - 0966-6923

ER -