Factors Determining the Adoption of Energy-Saving Technologies in Swiss Firms: An Analysis Based on Micro Data
Open access
Date
2013-03Type
- Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
This study investigates the factors that determine firms’ decisions to adopt energysaving technologies. We distinguish between the decisions of whether or not to use a technology (“inter-firm diffusion”), and of how intensely to use a technology (“intra-firm diffusion”). The empirical model used accommodates several effects that have been postulated in the theoretical diffusion literature: firm and industry heterogeneity, strategic considerations and external effects. Data for 2,324 Swiss firms for the year 2008 is used, with separate information for four categories of energy-saving technology applications (electromechanical and electronic, motor vehicles and traffic engineering, construction, power-generating processes). The results reveal significant differences with respect to firm characteristics and adoption barriers between inter-firm and intrafirm diffusion. In practically all cases, positive net external effects of adoption can be found. Inducement effects, particularly those traced back to intrinsic motivations for environment-friendly technologies, show clearly positive effects on adoption behavior. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-a-010016465Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Environmental and Resource EconomicsVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
SpringerSubject
Energy efficient technologies; Energy-saving technologies; Technology adoption; Technology diffusionOrganisational unit
02120 - Dep. Management, Technologie und Ökon. / Dep. of Management, Technology, and Ec.02525 - KOF Konjunkturforschungsstelle / KOF Swiss Economic Institute
Notes
It was possible to publish this article open access thanks to a Swiss National Licence with the publisherMore
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ETH Bibliography
yes
Altmetrics