Determinants and/or Barriers to the Adoption and Diffusion of Paper Transistors in Portuguese Industry

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2012

Authors

Joana Sousa (Author) Other; Aurora Teixeira (Author) FEP; Sandra, ST (Author) FEP

Conference proceedings International

Title: PROCEEDINGS OF THE 7TH EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP, VOLS 1 AND 2

Pages: 641-649

7th European Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ECIE)

PORTUGAL, SEP 20-21, 2012

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Social sciences > Economics and Business

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-005-KA9

Abstract (EN): The transistor is an electronic component that revolutionized the world of electronics, enabling the development and improvement of various systems and products in this area over the years. The paper transistor resulted from research conducted by a team coordinated by Elvira Fortunato. It is an ultra-small (nano) transistor, which is paper-based, a cheap and easily accessible material. This article intends, first, to determine the innovation model behind the paper transistor and, second, based on a survey of a sample of Portuguese firms in industries inclined to adopting the transistor, to understand its level of implementation and assess the determinants that may be influencing this process. A review of relevant literature and an interview with Elvira Fortunato, the key researcher, support the conclusion that the innovation model in question is the interactive one. In fact, since the project began, significant interaction took place between research institutions and industry, which continued throughout the development process. In the second phase of our work, a group of firms was surveyed, selected on the basis of the relevance of the technology on the activities they conduct. Only one firm from the five respondents said they knew of the paper transistor. The answers collected also indicated that there are three main determinants which explain why firms have failed to adopt this transistor: the expected profit, the existence of networks between firms and universities, and information. Thus, we conclude that there is a significant need for increased interaction between universities and firms, so as to promote a broader understanding of the stakeholders' needs, with the development of innovations in universities and research institutes based on adaptation to the business context.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9