Barriers to the establishment of new key technologies. Summary

Germany is considered innovative and, in a global comparison, excellent in basic research and technology development. Germany is strong in its traditional markets, such as mechanical and vehicle engineering or electrical engineering. However, Germany also has problems when it comes to the rapid and broad implementation of the innovative ideas and results of research and development in concrete applications, especially for the establishment of new, future-oriented key technologies. The diffusion of applications resulting from new key technologies on the market also often confronts companies and entrepreneurs with blockades that are difficult or almost impossible to overcome.
Subject and objective of the study
The objective of the project "Blockades in the Establishment of New Key Technologies" was to investigate the existing innovation barriers in Germany that block or impede the establishment of new key technologies and the creation of German lead markets or the replacement of traditional export technologies by new key technologies. However, factors that have a particularly beneficial effect should also be identified. On this basis, specific technologies or markets were identified where Germany has not yet exhausted its diffusion and market potential or has been particularly successful in doing so. ... mehrFinally, by analysing the factors to which these deficits or successes could be attributed, possibilities for political influence were elicited that could contribute to the removal of existing blockades and the promotion of positive factors. The project used a combined approach of a cross-technology innovation system analysis and three technology-specific, in-depth case studies to investigate specific key technologies.
The innovation system approach was based on a comprehensive literature and data analysis and provided a research grid for the three case studies. In doing so, the innovation system analysis primarily aimed at capturing and structuring the central inhibiting and facilitating factors, which were specifically investigated and evaluated in the case studies. The case studies selected were Nanoelectronics as a cross-sectional technology, wind energy as an application technology, MP3 players and mini beamers as applications and product innovations respectively.
Within the framework of these case studies, several expert interviews were conducted with relevant stakeholders in each case, as well as a workshop in the German Bundestag in Berlin with representatives from science, business and politics. The results of the three case studies were harmonised via the research grid in order to finally compare the identified blockages and derived measures or options for action on a generalised basis. In doing so, blockades were related to suitable measures and possible contributions for involved actors were identified, by means of which the dismantling of existing blockades and the establishment of new key technologies could be supported.