Technology management by sustainable energy ventures

• Main Author: Dee, N. J.
• Published: University of Cambridge 2008
• Subjects: 333
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.598487

This research addresses the sustainable energy venture through an exploration of how it manages the opportunities and obstacles it faces during firm development. The literature revealed a variety of perspectives on the entrepreneurial opportunity. It was shown that linking market failures to environmental entrepreneurial opportunities failed to resolve the paradox that market failure can cause both opportunities and obstacles to entrepreneurial endeavour. It was posited that this position was resolved by focusing on the act of opportunity/creation/development by the entrepreneurial process which distinguishes opportunities from obstacles in the endeavour to create and capture value. The research process required the development of a conceptual framework of the entrepreneurial process of firm development. The conceptual framework was enabled by drawing on the resource based view and evolutionary theory and linked the entrepreneurial process with value creation and capture. This framework guided case-study research and analysis from fuel cell and renewable energy sectors. This was followed by an investigation of opportunities and obstacles in sustainable energy through an analysis of technology and market challenges to value creation. Through managing the research in parts it became possible to address the primary research question. Several strategies were found for how new ventures manage various opportunities and obstacles. However it was also clear that the entrepreneurial process is holistic and should be evaluated as a whole for efficient and appropriate resource use. Interactions between firm and business environment were shown to influence firm and industry development.