A conceptualization of the context of technological innovation systems

Recent critique of the technological innovation systems framework has focused on its lack of attention for the context in which these systems are embedded. This lack of attention for context bears the risk of oversimplified conclusions when identifying the causes for the success or failure of technological innovation systems. System interventions based on such oversimplified conclusions are often ineffective, because they do not fit within the context in which the system is embedded. Current endeavors to conceptualize the context of technological innovation systems have a strong institutional base. This paper uses examples related to the building of energy-efficient houses in Austria, the Netherlands and Finland to show that the influence of context reaches beyond what can be incorporated in an institutional approach. We propose to use the concept of 'natures' of a location, stemming from the field of geography, for a more complete conceptualization of the context of technological innovation systems