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CONTEXT: Precision weeding, a sector of agricultural technology in which drones and/or automated weeders use chemical, mechanical, or thermal means to eradicate weeds, has moved from academic research settings to commercialization. Because of labor shortage pressures, the push to gain competitive advantages, and the environmental impacts of excessive chemical inputs, many California growers have been interested in adopting precision weeding technologies in their operations. OBJECTIVE: Using semi-structured qualitative interviews, this study investigated the viewpoints of three key stakeholder groups involved in the diffusion and adoption of precision weeding technologies: California growers, precision weeding startups, and agricultural technology venture capital firms. With the supplemental viewpoints of large agricultural firms and their corporate venture capital arms and government agencies, this study seeks to understand the compatible motivations between stakeholders, current collaborative models between stakeholders and their limitations, and the user journey for growers adopting precision weeding technology. METHODS: We conducted 17 semi-structured qualitative interviews with diverse stakeholders in the precision weeding sector to gather textual data and gain high data saturation. Data collection balanced rigorous criteria for participant selection with adaptive interview questions to ensure depth and relevance. The analysis procedure involved coding and thematic framework development, complemented by grounded theory for iterative data examination and stakeholder map creation for distilling cross-organizational insights and stakeholder dynamics. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that compatible motivations include addressing current labor issues, reducing costs, and the potential of precision weeding to transform agriculture. Less cited but still popular motivations included having more weeding options, meeting specific field needs, and environmental sustainability. The individual and stakeholder group cognitive maps demonstrated that concerns such as startup longevity, the high expenses of precision weeding machinery, and some startups lacking a direct connection to growers commonly limit the growers' adoption of precision weeding technologies. SIGNIFICANCE: The procedure and cognitive mapping presented in this study can be applied to other emerging agtech technologies and ecosystems.

In pursuit of net-zero greenhouse gases emissions goals, Nigeria faces challenges like fossil fuel dependence, environmental degradation and energy inefficiency, necessitating a transition to decarbonization. This study employs the Bass model and TOPSIS multi-criteria analysis to investigate the diffusion and ranking of low/zero-carbon technologies for Nigeria. Findings reveal: absence of key mitigation technologies like wind, concentrating solar plant (CSP), geothermal, nuclear, hydrogen, fuel cell, carbon capture utilization and sequestration (CCUS), direct air capture (DAC), and lime soda in Nigeria; that over a fifty-year span from year 2023, existing technologies–solar photovoltaic, bioenergy, natural gas and hydro–in Nigeria indicate slow adoption rates (3.68–106.02MW) based on Nigeria trajectory of technology use, contrasting with significantly accelerated rates (276.06–90,320MW) based on global trajectory; and multi-criteria analysis favors hydro, solar photovoltaic, natural gas, bioenergy, and wind as favorable options, while suggesting further exploration of hydrogen, fuel cell, geothermal, and nuclear technologies within Nigeria's energy landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article captures the effects of technology diffusion on innovation under duopoly competition. With the game theory approach, some interesting results are achieved. First, technology diffusion stimulates innovation and firms launch innovation to share more market size. Second, firms under unilateral innovation launch less innovation than that under bilateral innovation. Finally, neither firms' innovation constitutes a Nash equilibrium and subsidy may transfer this equilibrium to a new equilibrium that both firms innovate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of New Architecture is the property of New Architecture Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Do new manufacturing technologies of the Industry 4.0 (I4.0) boost TFP growth? By adopting a distance-to-frontier framework, this paper explores whether the adoption of (advanced) digital technologies affect the sectoral TFP growth rates across manufacturing industries of 14 European countries, during the period 2009–2019. We rely on a novel measure of adoption of I4.0 technologies (namely, advanced industrial robots, additive manufacturing and industrial internet of things), exploiting highly detailed (8-digit level) information on imports of capital goods embodying such technologies. Our results suggest that adopting new digital manufacturing technologies of the I4.0 brings quantitatively important and statistically significant contributions to sectoral TFP growth rates, although these are mostly concentrated in countries close to the technology frontier. In turn, these technologies seem to have hampered the process of convergence between European technological leaders and laggards over the last decade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the diffusion and network structure of hydrogen technology from 1980 to 2022. Hydrogen fuel cell technology has the shortest diffusion cycle and high global acceptance. Production technology shows significant global demand, particularly within regional patent families. In contrast, hydrogen storage and fuel cell technologies have more concentrated diffusion, indicating higher adaptation thresholds. Japanese firms are crucial in spreading storage and production technologies, while U.S. enhances diffusion through licensing and transfer. Hydrogen refrigeration technology exhibits a more dispersed bidirectional network. Hydrogen production and fuel cell technologies demonstrate notable activity and network scale in the global market. This research provides valuable insights into the global development of hydrogen technology. [Display omitted] • The evolution of hydrogen technology diffusion was evaluated from 1980 to 2022 using patent data. • Hydrogen fuel cell technology shows the shortest diffusion cycle, hydrogen storage and fuel cell technologies have concentrated diffusion in core countries. • Hydrogen production technology and hydrogen refrigeration technology exhibits broader diffusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquatic products have played an increasingly important role in residents' diets, with improved production capacity and living standards in recent years. Accelerating the organic diffusion of aquaculture technology is an effective way to increase production. Taking the example of South American white shrimp aquaculture, this article combines carbon emissions and aquaculture cost benefits. By using data from South American white shrimp aquaculture in Hebei, Shandong, and Jiangsu Province in China from 2016 to 2021, the article innovatively considers aquaculture cycle carbon emissions as non-expected output, constructs a non-expected SBM-DEA super-efficiency model to evaluate the comprehensive efficiency of two aquaculture technologies, and analyzes the influencing factors of the diffusion of shrimp culture technology through case studies. The research results show that the comprehensive efficiency of factory-based aquaculture technology is generally better than pond-based aquaculture, but carbon emissions are higher in the factory model. The main factors affecting the diffusion of factory-based technology are policy support, social networks, farmers' own situations, and technological attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the continuous reduction of fossil energy storage in the world, the environmental problems caused by fossil energy are becoming increasingly prominent. The intensification of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has also led to a crisis in the global energy supply. Under the international background of energy conservation and emission reduction, it is of great theoretical and practical significance to systematically and deeply study the diffusion path of new energy industry-leading technology and put forward relevant policies and suggestions scientifically and feasible for promoting the diffusion activities of new energy industry-leading technology. This paper uses literature analysis to determine the external and internal factors that influence the diffusion of new energy industry-leading technology, and analysis of the configuration of various factors through the fsQCA method, the diffusion path of leading technology in the new energy industry is obtained. The technology and environment curve is drawn to divide the technology diffusion process into different stages. In addition, we selected the solar energy industry, a relatively perfect branch of China's new energy industry with a long development history, for case analysis to verify the diffusion path of leading technology in the new energy industry proposed in the article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genome editing (GE) technology holds significant promise for advancements in crop development and medical applications. However, public acceptance of GE in Japan remains uncertain. This study aimed to examine how knowledge impacts public acceptance of GE technology, focusing on differences across diffusion stages and application purposes. Using ordinary least squares regression on repeated survey data collected from 2018 to 2023 in Japan (n = 6,234), we investigated the influence of knowledge on support for GE in consumer benefits, producer benefits, and medical technology. Our findings revealed that the effect of knowledge on technology acceptance has strengthened over time. Consumers with greater knowledge of GE are increasingly supportive of its advancement, emphasizing the growing importance of information as the technology becomes more widespread. This research highlights the role of transparent policy discussions in fostering public trust and support, thereby promoting the successful integration of new technologies into society.

Governments around the world have paid considerable attention to Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) initiatives. However, there is no clear evidence that current digitization strategies are meeting the expectations of inclusive and sustainable development. Based on panel data from Chinese prefecture-level cities, this paper constructs a quasi-natural experiment with the establishment of the National Comprehensive Big Data Pilot Zones (BDPZ) to examine whether and how big data-based digital policies can address the digital divide. The results show that the construction of the BDPZ significantly contributes to addressing the territorial digital divide. And this policy effect is influenced by factors such as regional innovation capacity, geographical location, and administrative authority. The mechanism analysis shows that the institution-led diffusion effect and administrative supply diffusion effect under the authoritative diffusion model, and the market-driven diffusion effect under the induced diffusion model are the intrinsic mechanisms of BDPZ in addressing the digital divide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First signs of headwinds to the global economy from geoeconomic fragmentation are emerging. This paper takes an overview on what is the current understanding of the economic effects of geoeconomic fragmentation. The estimated and modelled economic effects of geoeconomic fragmentation and geopolitics vary substantially. We need more research, standardized measures of geopolitical uncertainty, detailed data on protectionist measures and global value networks, plausible scenarios rooted in stylized facts and realistic models anchored in theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Technology Economics is the property of Chinese Society of Technology Economics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

With the increasing share of renewable energy in the grid and the enhanced flexibility of the future power system, it is imperative for thermal power companies to explore alternative strategies. The flexible transformation of thermal power units is an effective strategy to address the previously mentioned challenges; however, the factors influencing the diffusion of this technology merit further investigation, yet they have been seldom examined by scholars. To address this gap, this issue is examined using an evolutionary game model of multi-agent complex networks, and a more realistic group structure is established through heterogeneous group differentiation. With factors such as group relationships, diffusion paths, compensation electricity prices, and subsidy intensities as variables, several diffusion scenarios are developed for research purposes. The results indicate that when upper-level enterprises influence the decision-making of lower-level enterprises, technology diffusion is significantly accelerated, and enhanced communication among thermal power enterprises further promotes diffusion. Among thermal power enterprises, leveraging large and medium-sized enterprises to promote the flexibility transformation of units proves to be an effective strategy. With regard to factors like the compensation price for depth peak shaving, the initial application ratio of groups, and the intensity of government subsidies, the compensation price emerges as the key factor. Only with a high compensation price can the other two factors effectively contribute to promoting technology diffusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addressing energy poverty is integral to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, and clean energy technology serves as an essential tool in mitigating this issue. Existing studies pay less attention to the correlation between the two. In this study, we quantify the spread of clean energy technology using patent citation information and analyze balanced panel data from 30 provinces in China spanning the years 2004 to 2019. The findings reveal that the diffusion of clean energy technology not only directly reduces energy poverty but also indirectly alleviates it by enhancing energy efficiency and fostering employment. However, the positive impact of technology on poverty is affected by human capital. Specifically, when the number of college students per 10,000 people in a province surpasses 179, technology diffusion becomes effective in alleviating energy poverty. Furthermore, the efficacy of this mitigation varies significantly based on different regions. Technologies originating from developed economies such as the United States, Japan, and the European Union exhibit a more substantial impact than domestic alternatives. Additionally, the effect of alleviating energy poverty is more significant in the eastern region. Therefore, we make policy recommendations for alleviating energy poverty through the use of incentive policies, exploring differentiated models of clean energy technology development, and strengthening international cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the impact of home computer ownership on educational outcomes during adolescence. Using longitudinal survey data from Greece, we focus on the timing of exposure to home computers for children aged 14–18 and find that those without computer access have a 10 percentage point higher probability of dropping out of school compared to those with access. Employing a panel event study framework, we show that years of schooling increase in periods after the exposure to a personal computer at home. Our results suggest that disparities in computer access may affect significantly the human capital development during adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 epidemic has greatly expedited the utilization of technology in the realm of education, resulting in the extensive implementation of totally online teaching approaches. These approaches have undergone thorough analysis in various scholarly articles in recent years. This study applies theories of technology acceptance and use in the educational process, employing Neutrosophic analysis to assess criteria for technology utilization in education. The study commenced by formulating an equation to investigate the patterns of technology uptake and use between 2010 and 2024. Additionally, a comprehensive evaluation of the latest literature since 2000 was conducted to identify prevailing trends. The findings suggest that usage plays a vital role in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and structural equations are used as a method to measure it. Neutrosophic analysis provides a thorough and sophisticated viewpoint on the integration of technology in education, emphasizing both the accomplishments made and the obstacles that still exist in this developing area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is a relatively practical technology that has emerged as electric vehicle technology has gradually matured. The analysis of the HEV patent lifecycle is crucial for understanding its impact on the development of this technology. This lifecycle tracks the progress of HEV technologies from their inception and patenting, through their market adoption, and to the expiration of their patent protection. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the technology lifecycle of the HEV industry using the growth S-curve method. The purpose of this study is to describe the technological lifecycle trajectory and current stage of the HEV industry, as well as the technical stages of each sub-technology, to facilitate better decision making. As part of this study, we used patent family data collected from the Derwent Innovation Index database from 1975 to 2022 and established an S-curve model for HEVs and their sub-technologies using logistic regression. In 2022, the technological maturity of HEVs reached 44%. The sub-technologies with the most substantial diffusion capabilities are energy management, propulsion systems, and cooling circuits. According to predictions, the saturation period for the patent family quantity related to HEVs is estimated to be around 53 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prefabricated construction (PC) technology diffusion, as a key to promoting PC, has attracted increasing attention from academia and industry in recent years. The diffusion of PC technology mainly stems from the coupling effect of multiple influencing factors, especially the multi-agent synergy. This study is to explore the multi-dimensional influencing factors and their coupling paths for the diffusion of PC technology, from a multi-agent synergy perspective. First, six critical factors identified through literature review are divided into three dimensions. Further, fourteen theoretical hypotheses are proposed for the interactions of these factors and their impacts on the diffusion of PC technology, highlighting the role of multi-agent synergy. Then, an empirical research method based on partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and questionnaire survey data were used to reveal the relationship between the influencing factors and the coupling path of PC technology diffusion. The findings suggest that organization strength (with the highest influence) and technology cooperation have positive effects, while technology investment has a negative effect, on PC technology diffusion. Both market competition and industry development play indirect roles on PC technology diffusion via technology investment, without direct effects. Government intervention positively moderates the path from technology investment and organizational strength to PC technology diffusion, respectively, with the strongest moderating effect between government intervention and organization strength. This study contributes to scientifically planning the diffusion of PC technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research shows that linguistic differences can influence the diffusion of technology and income between countries. I use a measure of language similarity known as the normalised Levenshtein distance to show that lexical distances closely track bilateral differences in the adoption intensities of key production technologies. This relationship holds for technologies in the transportation, information technology, steel, telecommunications and health sectors. Linguistic differences also result in larger bilateral gaps in per capita income. These results hold among higher but not low‐income nations, likely because language affects technology transfer only once a threshold level of development is surpassed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship network between enterprises will change their adoption behavior of AI technology and this micro-decision-making mechanism will eventually decide whether AI technology can diffuse and the extent of diffusion on the macro level. However, the existing AI technology diffusion research mostly focuses on the integration of AI technology with other industries from the industrial level, ignoring the complexity of the micro-complex game process and interactions within the enterprise network on the macro technology diffusion. In this regard, this paper builds a game model of AI technology diffusion in core and non-core enterprises from the levels of market competition and policy incentives based on complex network evolutionary game theory. It does this through simulation analysis that examines the mechanism of key factors affecting the diffusion of AI technology, as well as the influence and combination effects of pertinent policies. The study shows that (1) AI technology diffuses more effectively in non-core enterprises than it does in core enterprises; (2) changes in parameters like technology cost and policy regimes have a more evident impact on core enterprises than non-core ones; (3) in market competition, increasing the network average degree, the proportion of AI technology products in the mainstream market, the opportunity cost, the cost reduction factor, or decreasing the cost of AI technology can all promote the diffusion of AI technology; (4) under policy incentives, increasing the proportion of AI technology subsidies and the influence of high-tech identification of enterprises can both promote the diffusion of AI technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The convergence/divergence debate and plausible explanations to the process of catching-up remain highly controversial research areas in growth economics. Recently, these issues have been the subject of questionable predictions with regard future prospect for backward countries, raising concerns about the right direction of macroeconomic policy. To explore these issues, a sample of 131 countries is studied over the 1950s–2010s to identify those that have managed to catching-up, remain stagnant, or keep lagging further behind. Time-distance to the frontier and productivity decompositions, based on non-parametric methods, suggest that some countries have successfully completed already the caching-up, and it would take between 27 and 194 years for others to do so in the most optimistic scenario. But many others would never do. Policy implications drawn from the comparative analysis suggests the need to strengthen local innovation in order to increase the ability to catching-up alongside widespread reliance on technology diffusion from abroad.

AbstractTo achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century, the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through negative emission technologies (NETs) will play an integral part. With renewable energy technologies (RETs), there has already been the introduction and expansion of a clean technology that faced similar obstacles as NETs—high up-front costs, limited competitiveness, and low public perception. This article compares NET policy proposals with the lessons learned from RET support. For NETs, the use of R&D support for innovation is unequivocal due to its nascency, yet the demand-pull instrument differs whether NETs are used as an alternative mitigation strategy, as a bridging technology or as a last resort. As an alternative mitigation method, a market-based approach by integrating NETs into emission trading systems is applicable because the use of NETs has no additional environmental benefit compared to abatement. Using NETs as a bridging technology requires restricting the demand for NETs to control the volume, and possibly type of NETs. This can be achieved via mandates or auctions. As a last resort, the removal via NETs requires heavy state involvement as emission removal constitutes a pure public good. This warrants public procurement or even state-led NET operation.

ABSTRACTIn pursuit of net-zero greenhouse gases emissions goals, Nigeria faces challenges like fossil fuel dependence, environmental degradation and energy inefficiency, necessitating a transition to decarbonization. This study employs the Bass model and TOPSIS multi-criteria analysis to investigate the diffusion and ranking of low/zero-carbon technologies for Nigeria. Findings reveal: absence of key mitigation technologies like wind, concentrating solar plant (CSP), geothermal, nuclear, hydrogen, fuel cell, carbon capture utilization and sequestration (CCUS), direct air capture (DAC), and lime soda in Nigeria; that over a fifty-year span from year 2023, existing technologies–solar photovoltaic, bioenergy, natural gas and hydro–in Nigeria indicate slow adoption rates (3.68–106.02MW) based on Nigeria trajectory of technology use, contrasting with significantly accelerated rates (276.06–90,320MW) based on global trajectory; and multi-criteria analysis favors hydro, solar photovoltaic, natural gas, bioenergy, and wind as favorable options, while suggesting further exploration of hydrogen, fuel cell, geothermal, and nuclear technologies within Nigeria's energy landscape.

Truck platooning pertains to virtually coupling trucks to cut aerodynamic drag. Despite its many benefits, the dynamics of the trucking industry in adopting this technology is not well understood. In this paper, we investigate the dynamics and particularly the impact of the presence of a matching platform on platooning technology diffusion. On the qualitative side, two positive feedback loops and a larger encompassing feedback loop are unveiled. On the quantitative side, tailored system dynamics models (SDMs) are developed to quantify the feedback loops and technology diffusion evolution. We demonstrate use of the SDMs by applying them to the US trucking industry. We find that having a matching platform can significantly accelerate the platooning technology adoption. The fuel and labor savings also substantially differ with a platform. The findings help inform decision- and policy-making towards more coordinated and beneficial truck platooning technology adoption and operations, thereby improving sustainability of freight transportation.

The widespread adoption of distributed photovoltaic (PV) power generation technologies among electricity consumers is a crucial factor in enabling the power system's low-carbon transition. While extensive research has explored consumers' willingness to adopt this technology, prior studies have primarily focused on static psychological factors. This study, however, takes a heterogeneous behavioral perspective by examining the dynamic effects of individual behavioral interactions on technology diffusion. Utilizing behavior-driven simulation technology, we developed a diffusion model pertaining to photovoltaic power generation technology. The model enhances the explanatory capacity and predictive accuracy of subjects' behavioral choices by quantifying the effects of adoption scale and external economic interventions. Our simulation results indicate that residential environment constraints, resulting from individual behavioral differences, can influence the diffusion potential of technology. Furthermore, non-mandatory promotion methods are more effective in enhancing user adoption willingness. Interestingly, we found that free installation interventions tend to reduce the diffusion effect in later stages and should not be implemented in isolation. These insights can contribute to enhancing the diffusion of distributed PV power generation technology and furthering the development of low-carbon electricity.

The impact of foreign-direct-investment (FDI) on economic-growth has been studied extensively. The results are, however, inconclusive due to the use of inappropriate methodology and/or the disregard of the absorptive capacity of the receiving country, which is particularly affected by the existence of FDI. Starting from an analytical growth-accounting framework to deduce the estimated specifications, an econometric analysis with panel data was conducted for 27 European Union countries over the period 2000–2019 to highlight the importance of FDI in improving factor efficiency and hence economic growth. The results also highlight the relevance of openness to international trade, imports of machinery and transport equipment, and domestic investment in R&D as facilitators of the process of technology absorption and knowledge diffusion from FDI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adoption and development of high technology situations such as additive manufacturing is complicated because the technology system characteristics used by manufacturers are different than the technology-performance characteristics evaluated by customers. This study explores the relationship between the desktop 3D printers' underlying technology characteristics, its performance, and its price. Data were collected for 107 Fused Deposition Modelling desktop 3D printers from 2014 to 2019. Twelve technology characteristics were included such as the build volume, the material of the build platform and whether it is heated, the number of extruders, type of movements and whether it uses open source software, hardware or filament. It was found that 8% of the technology characteristics only matter for performance, 33% only matter for price, 33% for neither and 25% of the characteristics matter for both performance and price. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the diffusion of battery electric vehicle (BEV) technology in Japan. The diffusion process in this study refers to both the innovation and adoption of BEV technology. While previous studies on BEV technological diffusion focus on policy selection, especially domestic policy, little is known about the connectedness between international and domestic factors in the BEV technological diffusion process. This paper aims to enrich the discussion of technology diffusion by expanding the argument that technology diffusion is not only a domestic problem but also an international relations problem using a case study of BEV technology diffusion in Japan. The findings indicate that two international factors push Japan to diffuse BEV technology: Japanese commitment to the global environmental regime and global competition in BEV manufacturing. However, the domestic institution factor hinders the BEV technology diffusion. The production structures of automobile industries and political economy relations between the automobile industry and the government further complicate the diffusion process of BEV technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A model is proposed where economic growth is driven by innovation alongside the diffusion and adoption of technology from the frontier. Innovation investments are related to households savings, which generates multiple equilibria with low and high levels of innovation and productivity. Low-level equilibria are unstable. Starting from a position with low levels of investment and innovation, increasing investments are associated with high but decreasing dependence on international technology diffusion. A major objective of policy-making is to increase investment sufficiently in the lower end to reach the high-level steady state. An economic rationale is provided for the existence of productivity improving equilibria, where distance to the frontier is reduced based on a tax and subsidy mechanism designed to boost innovation and speed up catching-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information and communication technology has been identified as a viable means of addressing the societal issue of disconnection among e-democracy participants. Apart from the ongoing normative debate concerning the potential of information and communication technology to facilitate e-democratic processes, much research has been dedicated to examining the broad spectrum of specific e-democracy tools that have been multi-disciplinary and fragmented in recent years. Remarkably, however, the potential of technology diffusion and its impact on implementing e-democracy in cyberspace has not yet received adequate attention. The key issue for the sustainability of e-democracy is technology accessibility, which is also a central factor in technology diffusion. This systematic literature review seeks to structure and systematise the literature on the different phases of e-democracy implementation technology diffusion (adoption, implementation, and institutionalisation) and levels of analysis (macro, meso, and micro) with the aims of, firstly, mapping the current field of e-democracy technology diffusion research and, secondly, providing a unique study for use in future research. The analysis indicated that researchers have primarily focused on the adoption and implementation stages, as well as the external information and communication technology environment at the macro level and the organisational level at the meso level within public administrations. In general, this review highlights major gaps in the current literature and proposes viable avenues for further research.

This study aims to create a diffusion model for the diffusion of Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology in the mobile payment system in Iran. NFC technology is one of the technological applications that is spreading worldwide daily and being used in various industries. In recent years, the country's banking system has tried implementing it in electronic payments based on cell phones, but it has not yielded results. The study's statistical population is everyone over 18 who can use the banking system. It is an applied and mixed study (quantitative and qualitative) using a system dynamics approach. The results are summarized in four scenarios, with the fourth scenario providing the best results. By implementing this scenario, accompanied by an increase in contact rate, education and culture, and legal infrastructure, the growth of NFC technology among users of mobile phone-based payment systems in the country can be increased to an acceptable level.

We study the effect of peer influence on products that exhibit positive network externalities to nonadopters, i.e., products that benefit adopters' friends even if they do not adopt. In contrast to products that exhibit positive network externalities upon adoption, this structure of incentives likely results in negative peer influence: the more friends that adopt the product, the smaller the incentive to adopt. We measure this effect empirically by using observational data from a large mobile carrier serving 5.7 million users. We estimate the effect of peer influence across five different products of this type. A naive approach to do this results in a positive estimate for peer influence due to unobserved homophily. We follow two approaches to address this issue. First, we suggest using the number of friends that end up adopting a product as a proxy for unobserved user-fixed effects. Second, we control for homophily by applying a shuffle test, i.e., we compare the effect of peer influence from the original data with the effect obtained from comparable randomly generated data without peer influence. We obtain negative estimates from both approaches, which adds robustness to our findings. Finally, we show that even for these products, the effect of peer influence associated with the first friends that adopt the product is positive because they still convey useful information that reduces uncertainty. The negative effect of peer influence arises only for subsequent friends that adopt the product. While these friends are unlikely to convey new information about the product, they decrease the economic incentive to adopt, resulting in a negative aggregate effect of peer influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to create a diffusion model for the diffusion of Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology in the mobile payment system in Iran. NFC technology is one of the technological applications that is spreading worldwide daily and being used in various industries. In recent years, the country's banking system has tried implementing it in electronic payments based on cell phones, but it has not yielded results. The study's statistical population is everyone over 18 who can use the banking system. It is an applied and mixed study (quantitative and qualitative) using a system dynamics approach. The results are summarized in four scenarios, with the fourth scenario providing the best results. By implementing this scenario, accompanied by an increase in contact rate, education and culture, and legal infrastructure, the growth of NFC technology among users of mobile phone-based payment systems in the country can be increased to an acceptable level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Productivity growth is important for long-term economic growth and development, and technology adoption is one of its key drivers. This study empirically assesses whether political regimes are a significant determinant of technology diffusion. Specifically, we examine the effects of political regimes on diffusion of technology using data based on a sample of 104 technologies from 137 countries for the period 1901 to 2000. We consider detailed categories of technologies and investigate the differences in the impacts of political regimes on each technology. Our estimation results show that democracy does not have a significant impact on the overall diffusion of technology but it is positively associated with the diffusion of health- and agriculture-related technologies. Furthermore, the diffusion of infrastructure, general, and other sector-specific technologies is not influenced by political regimes. Considering different types of democracies and dictatorships, we find that parliamentary democracy has a positive impact on health- and agriculture-related technology diffusion. On the contrary, all types of dictatorships, namely civilian, military, and royal, have negative impacts on diffusion of technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safe and flexible hydrogen storage technology (HST) emerges as a crucial element in driving the industrialization of hydrogen energy. Consequently, HSTs are being extensively investigated globally, with an increasing number diffusing beyond national boundaries through transnational patent applications. However, the absence of an evolutionary analysis constrains the exploration of technological opportunities in HST. In this study, we unveil the evolutionary trajectory and innovation trends of HST by analyzing its global diffusion and convergence network, utilizing patent family and IPC co-occurrence data spanning from 1993 to 2022. Our results indicate that the transnational diffusion of HST is concentrated in core countries. Japan and France emerged as dominant source countries, while China, Europe, Korea, and Canada were identified as main target countries for HST diffusion. Notably, in the past decade, China and France have experienced significant expansion in filing HST patents. However, China filed a relatively limited number of patent families, suggesting a varied level of engagement in transnational HST diffusion. Hydrogen fuel cells, storage alloys, vessels, and distribution systems constitute the primary technological domains of HST. In the initial stages, fuel cells and alloy materials dominated HST development, often converging with metal powders and heat treatment. However, since 2003, F17C, related to storage vessels, has evolved as a focal point of convergence, involving the integration of pressure tanks, filling and discharging systems, liquid transportation, gas purification, and rare earth materials. Overall, this research offers novel insights for strategizing future HST innovations. • The evolution of HST was evaluated through patent analysis. • Diffusion and convergence trajectory study provides a new perspective to understand HST's innovation trend. • The global diffusion network of HST tends to concentrate in few source and target countries. • Storage vessels and alloys are emerging directions of HST convergence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disruptive technology has profoundly affected the market environment and business patterns. Traditional and emerging industries are willing to adopt it to nurture their innovation activities and achieve competitive advantage. However, traditional technological innovation theory cannot give accurate guidance because of the peculiarities of disruptive technology. Thus, in this study, we explore the diffusion mechanism of radio-frequency identification (RFID) technological innovation from the perspective of disruptive innovation. We implement maximum likelihood fitting methods and the goodness-of-fit test to analyse the network's degree distribution characteristics through evolution. Results illustrate that the connection mechanism changes through the evolution process. In particular periods, preferential attachment does not work. Dominant technologies will lose their position with the emergence of disruptive technologies, hence replaced by them. The findings will provide practical suggestions to firms in facilitating their strategic decision-making when faced with disruptive technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an environment of accelerating technological change and increasing digitalization, firms need to adopt new technologies faster than ever before to stay competitive. This paper examines whether updates of education curricula help to bring new technologies faster into firms' workplaces. We study technology changes and curriculum updates from an early wave of digitalization (i.e., computer-numerically controlled machinery, computer-aided design, and desktop publishing software). We take a text-as-data approach and tap into two novel data sources to measure change in educational content and the use of technology at the workplace: first, vocational education curricula and, second, firms' job advertisements. To examine the causal effects of adding new technology skills to curricula on the diffusion of these technologies in firms' workplaces (measured by job advertisements), we use an event study design. Our results show that curriculum updates substantially shorten the time it takes for new technologies to arrive in firms' workplaces, especially for mainstream firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the drivers for adopting irrigation systems with water conservation and saving technologies (WCSTs) by Italian farmers. The agricultural sector in Italy, like in other Mediterranean countries, suffers from water scarcity and water endowment variability. Water resources play a decisive role in agricultural production and in implementing large-scale WCSTs capable of improving the resilience of the whole agricultural sector. This study uses a microeconomic panel data approach to estimate farmers' decisions in adopting (inter-farm) sustainable irrigation technologies and assesses the intensity of (intra-farm) water-saving practices. Our analysis identifies the main determinants of adopting WCSTs for Italian farmers based on different socio-economic, physical, environmental and climatic variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article introduces 'DIY warfare', a paradigm where soldiers utilize advanced commercial technologies with support from private tech firms, and civilians contribute technologically, often near conflict zones. This convergence blurs traditional combatant-non-combatant lines, challenging existing warfare doctrines. Employing a '3Cs' analytical framework—compute, compatibility, and collaboration—it explores the shift towards a decentralized, technology-driven conflict, highlighting the potential for increased operational flexibility alongside the complexities of civilian-military integration and reliance on private entities. This article suggests DIY warfare could significantly alter military engagement at the tactical level in the digital era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the key anchors of the National Innovation System shaping the nature of collaboration between academic high-performance computing centres (academic HPC centres) and small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) working in the automotive and electronics sectors of the Danube region. With two main research questions, it discusses the importance of knowledge transfer and technology transfer for collaboration between University and Industry (U-I collaboration) in three groups of developmentally distinct countries: competitively advanced, competitively intermediate and competitively lagging. As main anchors of the innovation system, stable legal environment, exciting innovation policies and strong R&D funding are recognised. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative empirical study in 14 Danube region countries included 92 focus group participants, expert representatives of academic HPC centres and SMEs. The data were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed. Findings – The findings show the main prerequisites of the framework conditions for efficient U-I collaboration evolve through a goal-oriented National Innovation Policy and developed and functioning legal environment supporting labour market and intellectual property (IP) protection and enforcement. Additionally, skilled people are needed to be able to operate with HPC, where it seems all the countries lack such skilled workforce. In competitively lagging countries, the high levels of brain drain exhibit strong impact to U-I collaboration. Research limitations/implications – Research into relationships between academic HPC centres and SMEs conducted was qualitative; therefore, limitations in terms of generalisation arise from it. On the other hand, the research is promising in terms of offering the guidance for policy makers who can use the findings when delivering innovation policy mix, adjusted to developmental level of own innovation ecosystem. Originality/value – The study is among the pioneering work in U-I collaboration between academic HPC centres and SMEs from automotive and electronics industries in the Danube region. The research addresses the dynamics of collaboration and offers policy implications to strengthen the particular U-I collaboration. 研究目的 – 本文旨在探究國家創新系統的主要支柱; 這些支柱決定了學術性的高速網路與計算中心 (註: 此為直譯) (以下簡稱學術高網算中心) 與於多瑙河地區的汽車製造業和電子產品行業內營運的中小型企業之間的合作性質。本文透過兩條主要的研究問題、去探討知識轉移和技術轉讓對大學與產業界之間的合作的重要性而這些產業是屬於在發展階段上三個明顯不同的國家組別裏的這三個組別是 競爭先進的、競爭性中級的和競爭落後的。穩定的法律環境、令人興奮的創新政策和強大的研究與開發資金被認為是創新系統的三個主要支柱。 研究設計 – 研究人員在14個位於多瑙河地區的國家裏進行一個質性觀察研究研究涵蓋92個焦點小組參與者、來自學術高網算中心和中小型企業的專家代表。有關的數據被錄音繼而被轉寫下來最後被分析。 研究結果 – 研究結果顯示效率高的大學產業界合作的框架條件的主要先決條件是透過一個以目標為導向的國家創新政策而逐漸形成繼而發展起來; 另外所需的條件是一個支援勞工市場、保障知識產權、並執行有關的法律的正常運作的法律環境。其次若想與學術高網算中心一起工作技術人才是必須的因學術高網算中心內的所有國家似乎欠缺技術勞動力。在落後於競爭對手的國家裏高度的人才外流對大學與產業界之間的合作會產生重大的影響。 研究的局限/啟示 – 由於研究採用的研究方法為質性研究法故研究結果、就普遍化的歸納而言是有其局限的。唯研究結果在實務方面有其作用因政策制定者在推行與科技進步與對策有關的策略時他們可把研究結果作為指引就其自身創新生態系統的發展水準而作出適當的調整。 研究的原創性/價值 – 本研究探討涉及學術高網算中心與於多瑙河地區的汽車製造業和電子產品行業內營運的中小型企業之間合作的大學產業界合作就此而言可說是開創性研究之一。本研究探究有關的大學產業界合作的變革動力並為政策制定者提供啟示以能強化有關的合作。