A multi-level analysis of sustainable mobility transitions: Niche development in the UK and Sweden

A wide range of intractable problems such as polluting emissions, noise, accidents, resource depletion, and inaccessibility of amenities are associated with the current transport regime. Given the slow movement towards a more sustainable mobility system, more radical, systemic innovation - a ‘transition’ - is required. Broadly speaking, this may be achieved via three routes: technological change, modal shift, and reduced travel demand. Drawing on concepts from the transitions literature (e.g., [Geels, F.W.: Technological Transitions and System Innovations: A Co-evolutionary and Socio-Technical Analysis, Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, 2005.]), we conceptualise each of these routes as a bundle of niche activities within an Area of Innovation, deviating to differing degrees from the current mobility ‘regime’. We present empirical evidence and indications of ongoing development of niches in these three areas within the UK and Sweden, and explore processes of co-evolution, divergence and tension within and between niches. Findings indicate recent market penetration of novel transport technologies, more advanced than modal shift or demand management activities; however, different transport technologies are more successful in each country. We also identify examples of a close relationship between development of radical vehicle/fuel technologies and provision of mobility services; and information technology as a driver in all three areas of innovation. We conclude that future innovation in transport depends on diversity, hybridisation, and co-evolution of niches. Finally, policy implications are discussed.     

Infrastructure investment on the margins of the market: The role of niche infrastructure providers in the UK

Across Europe, policymakers and market forces are striving to deploy next generation access (NGA) networks and ensure ubiquitous access to superfast broadband services. Due to scale economies and sunk costs, the roll-out of NGA is expected to be profitable only for large-scale providers and in densely populated areas. Nonetheless, alternative providers, such as utilities and local communities, have significantly contributed to NGA diffusion in many countries. Over the past five years, several small-scale initiatives have emerged in the UK, bringing fibre networks to urban and rural areas previously overlooked by either commercial or subsidised deployments. A multiple case study approach is employed here to explore the nature and the drivers of niche providers in the UK NGA market. All these initiatives are demand-driven and to follow a modular approach. Despite adopting different business models, they all rely on the resources inherited from past broadband initiatives and relationships with local partners. By investigating the strategies of niche providers in NGA market, this analysis sheds light on their contribution to bridging the digital divide in the UK and is presented as a preliminary assessment of their sustainability and potential growth.     

Babymoon tourism between emotional well-being service for medical tourism and niche tourism. Development and awareness on Romanian educated women

Health tourism and wellness tourism have become "temptations" with many world markets looking to take advantage of their growing popularity. Babymoon tourism is one of the hottest trends in travel today. The aim of this study is to fill a gap in the research on babymoon tourism by measuring the awareness of, and interest in, this trend in Romania through convenient sampling. The results show that 28% of respondents know "babymoon", but they agree on its positive impact. Our research results emphasize the necessity of promoting babymoons due to the actual trend and because the holiday market has been focused on well-being and promoting the concept of hedonic well-being. Additionally, to promote Romania as a babymoon destination, we must consider that today's consumers are prosumers seeking experiences and emotional wellbeing. Promoting babymoons for emotional well-being can result in two managerial outcomes for Romania: brand identification and intention to revisit.     

Niche firms,mass markets,and income across countries: Accounting for the impact of entry costs

I develop a model of monopolistic competition in which I distinguish between niche markets and mass markets, in the spirit of Holmes and Stevens, 2014. Firms choose between entering a small niche market with high markups or a large mass market with low markups. Entry costs and other distortions have a much greater impact on output in the niche market as the gains to specialization are high, relative to the mass market where varieties are highly substitutable. Calibrated to match data from U.S. manufacturing, the model generates an elasticity of total factor productivity with respect to entry costs almost twice that in a model that abstracts from heterogeneous markets. I use data on entry costs across countries to show entry costs alone can account for 23 percent of the cross-country variation in income per worker.     

基于小生境思想的技术范式变迁理论和创新政策研究

近年来,一些学者运用“小生境”(Niche)来理解技术范式变迁问题,并建立了新的分析框架,这不仅带来了技术演化研究的新思路,也被广泛应用到创新政策中,因此全面认识这个分析框架无疑是有积极意义的。本文试图对这个新理论的框架、内容和政策内涵作一个评述性的介绍,并对我国目前的创新政策发展取向作一探索。     

Independent travelers’ niche hotel booking motivations: the emergence of a hybrid cultural society

This study attempts to examine travel motivations from a hybrid cultural perspective in the context of Chinese niche hotels. Using an in-depth netnographic methodology, the paper analyzed 659 online reviews on 12 niche hotels from 6 travel websites to identify the motivations of Chinese independent travelers’ hotel selection. The research findings revealed that travelers’ motivations include the following: attractive environment, quality, uniqueness, spiritual well-being, traditional architecture, family togetherness, foreign style offerings and service, luxury amenities, and entertainment. These motivations can be classified into modern Chinese culture oriented motivations, traditional Chinese culture oriented motivations and foreign culture oriented motivations. The study identifies the characteristics of the market segment of Chinese independent travelers and offers valuable insights into the role of this emergent travel group. The theoretical implications suggest a hybridization effect of culturally oriented motivations showing that hotel choice and perhaps domestic tourism destination choice are driven by both Chinese and Western cultures. Management implications are discussed, and marketing suggestions are made to better understand what attracts this growing market segment in China.     

商业生态系统下缝隙型企业成长评价指标体系构建

从商业生态系统的视角出发,基于企业成长的内生和外生因素理论,探讨缝隙型企业成长的内外环境,运用文献内容分析方法和专家评价法,建立一套评价商业生态系统下缝隙型企业成长的指标体系。     

区域人口复合生态系统生态位评价

人类社会是一类社会-经济-自然复合生态系统,它所提供给人们的或可被人们利用的各种生态因子和各种生态关系的总体集合可以定义为区域人口复合生态系统生态位.研究在借鉴可持续发展和宜居城市等评价方法的基础之上建立了一套区域人口复合生态系统生态位评价的指标体系及评价方法.并对全国31个省、自治区、直辖市的区域人口复合生态系统生态位做出了定量评价.     

房地产投资环境测评及竞合模式研究——以湖北省主要城市为例

选用湖北省12个城市的统计数据,确定合理的房地产投资环境测评指标,构建房地产投资环境综合测评体系。研究方法采用最小二乘法、主成分分析法、聚类分析法。从自然环境、宏观经济、房地产市场、基础设施和社会文化五方面初选房地产投资环境测评指标,利用最小二乘法和主成分分析法对指标进行筛选,避免了指标的盲目性;采用最小二乘法确定各指标权重,结合逻辑严密且易于操作的房地产投资生态位测评公式,完成房地产投资环境综合生态位的测评;采用聚类分析法对城市进行分等定级并从生态位角度提出了优化策略。所构建的房地产投资环境测评体系具有较强的逻辑性,测评方法简洁高效,具有良好的应用价值。     

基于生态位的江苏省13城市软件服务外包产业竞争力比较

文章基于内生态位理论、外生态位理论及生态位态势理论构建了由基础设施环境因素、社会经济环境因素、人才资源环境因素、资金资源环境因素、技术资源环境因素和市场资源环境因素6大维度45个变量组成的软件服务外包产业竞争力评价指标体系;运用熵权法理论计算了各评价指标的权重;根据生态位态势理论及生态位测算公式对江苏省13城市软件服务外包产业的生态位进行了测评,对13城市的6大维度及综合竞争力进行排序和分析。