An Analytical Framework of Technological Innovation System: the case of nuclear power system

This paper is to elaborate and develop an alternative framework for the study of technological innovation systems. Compared with conventional literature, this analytical framework is designed for entrepreneurs, i.e. actors, at the micro level rather than policy makers at the meso or macro level. The socalled entrepreneurial innovation system is conceptually refined by synthesizing knowledge regarding technological innovation and innovation systems. On the basis of intrinsic technical characteristics for innovation, the entrepreneurial innovation system is composed of three core changes in terms of technology, organization and market, and their couplings within its internal boundary over time. This analytical framework also takes into account that the innovation system is influenced by and copes with external environment in its evolution. On top of that, the framework of the entrepreneurial innovation system takes into account the recent trend of sustainable development particularly in the change of market and external environments. Technical and socio-economic characteristics of nuclear power system is empirically studied and integrated into the concept in order to articulate the analytical framework of the entrepreneurial innovation system. This analytical framework is expected to be very useful for technological innovations in other energy systems by reflecting their unique features. Keyword: analytical framework, technological innovation, innovation systems, entrepreneurial innovation system, nuclear power generation