Title: Unravelling the dynamics of adopting novel technologies: an account of how the closed greenhouse opened-up

Authors: Anne-Charlotte Hoes; Volkert Beekman; Barbara J. Regeer; Joske F.G. Bunders

Addresses: Athena Institute, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ' Agricultural Economics Research Institute (LEI), Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 29703, 2502 LS The Hague, The Netherlands. ' Athena Institute, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ' Athena Institute, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Abstract: Realising broad adoption of complex novel technologies is an important innovation challenge. This paper identifies four notions on the dynamics of adoption of complex novel technologies and two main challenges that hinder adoption. These insights derive from studying literature and analysing the implementation history of the first eight growers that adopted the novel system innovation closed greenhouse. The analysis of these eight histories shows that variety exists in how users value an innovation and that adopters reconstruct the innovation, which creates high levels of uncertainty about the functioning of the system innovation. To stimulate the adoption of novel system innovations and to keep initial values in-scripted, we suggest innovation policy makers to further shelter the system innovation until the stage of take-off.

Keywords: innovation adoption; system innovation; new technologies; sustainable development; reconstruction; technology diffusion; innovation policy; agriculture; closed greenhouses; sustainability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJFIP.2012.044286

International Journal of Foresight and Innovation Policy, 2012 Vol.8 No.1, pp.37 - 59

Accepted: 21 Jan 2011
Published online: 21 Nov 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article