Regulation and innovation : the case of metering in public utilities

• Main Author: Boyd, Keith J.
• Published: University of Edinburgh 2001
• Subjects: 333
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.641846

During the past twenty years there have been sharply contrasting policies towards the regulation of public utilities in France and the United Kingdom. In the UK there has been a policy of deregulation where private ownership abounds, encouraging market forces vis-à-vis political forces. In France by contrast a policy of 'public service' is sill paramount with many of the utilities remaining in government hands and enjoying monopoly rights. This research explores a third dynamic in the regulation of utilities, that of technological innovation. In particular this thesis examines the development of metering technology in relation to the regulation of four utility sectors; electricity; gas; water and telecommunications in France and the UK. Using a case study methodology it examines five theoretical approaches that can be used to analyse the role of innovation in regulatory change. These are the <i>Techno-Economic Paradigm; Systems Theory; Sociotechnical Constituencies; Techno-Economic Networks </i>and <i>Evolutionary Theory. </i>The analysis is then used to illuminate and guide future policy making towards public utility regulation and innovation.