Overcoming the barriers to the innovations diffusion through diffusion-oriented policies. The case of Li-Ion Battery for Electric Vehicles

Purpose of the paper: The paper aims at developing a theoretical framework that links\uddiffusion policies to the types of barriers to which theoretical models of diffusion of\udinnovation implicitly or explicitly refer.\udMethodology: The conceptual framework is based on an extended literature review. The\udmodel is applied to an empirical case: the technology policy applied to diffuse the Li-Ion\udbattery for electric vehicles.\udFindings: Literature has deeply analysed the policies for the development of innovations,\udbut analysed the policies for innovations diffusion much less. To fill this gap, the study\udhighlights that an effective approach to the diffusion of a new technology should be based on\uda careful analysis of the barriers to such diffusion and on a set of policies that simultaneously\udact on these barriers.\udResearch limits: Additional empirical studies are required to assess the applicability of\udthe proposed conceptual framework.\udPractical implications: The conceptual framework of this paper has implications for\udscholars and policy makers. For scholars the paper opens the path towards the deepening of\uda subject that is still little studied. For policy makers the research provides a conceptual tool\udto guide their choices in supporting the diffusion of relevant technologies.\udOriginality of the paper: The paper classifies the barriers to the diffusion of a new\udtechnology, providing a different perspective on theoretical studies on the diffusion of\udinnovations. It proposes a theoretical framework that links policies supporting the dissemination of an innovation to the diffusion barriers for the first time. The potential\udexplanatory power of the model is verified through a concrete case study