Inter-sectoral relations to accelerate the formation of technological innovation systems: Determinants of actors’ entry into marine renewable energy technologies

Decarbonizing the energy system requires new technologies, whose formation and diffusion needs attraction of actors from different sectors to compose value chain. Sectoral interactions are crucial dependent on contextual technological factors, as well firm-specific characteristics. This paper examines determinants firm diversification towards a technology their role in sectoral interactions. We combine concepts innovation systems (TIS), organization studies examine drivers actors' entry impact systems’ formation, through effect inter-sectoral relations associated with variety relatedness. The development demonstration marine renewable technologies (MRET) Portugal over past two decades provides empirical case. A database 237 companies includes responses survey large part involved MRET potential entrants. standard binary logit model estimates set firms' MRET. Firms more driven by variety-led factors maturity, than capacity proximity. derive implications for policy theory, namely conceptualization TIS.