2026/07/08 by Nicole Dujany, Mohammad Taghi Ramezan Zadeh, Alberto Ferraris · 1 voice
Environmental Science · Business, Management and Accounting · #Sustainability and Climate Change Governance #Innovative Approaches in Technology and Social Development #Innovation and Socioeconomic Development
paper · doi:10.1016/j.eist.2026.101171
openalex publication_date 2026/07/08 · openalex created_date 2026/07/09 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22
This paper presents the first systematic review focused on empirical studies of the implementation phase of Transformative Innovation Policies (TIPs), aiming to advance understanding of how these policies unfold in real-world contexts. By jointly analyzing 65 empirical case studies published between 2010 and 2025, the study offers a comparative perspective that moves beyond isolated case analysis and enables the identification of recurring implementation patterns, gaps, and contextual influences. The review reveals a marked geographical concentration of studies in Europe, with limited representation from developing countries, and a relatively balanced distribution across policy sectors. We organized our thematic synthesis around core dimensions of implementation: objectives, stakeholders, instruments, arrangements, mechanisms, logics and contextual conditions. Recurring trends include the prominence of multi-level governance, evolutionary approaches, and the widespread use of public incentives and various policy mixes. In contrast, studies of the participation of civil society actors remain limited across most cases, suggesting a persistent inclusiveness gap. Contextual and geographical factors emerge as relevant variables shaping implementation dynamics. Finally, the research introduces an integrative conceptual framework that organizes the core dimensions of TIP implementation and clarifies how these are intended to advance efficiency and impact. By systematically comparing a large body of empirical evidence, this study extends the current TIP literature and provides an integrative knowledge to support future research and the design of more adaptive and context-sensitive policy implementation strategies.