Synchronizers, amplifiers, integrators – three strategic roles of co-creating low-carbon aviation value chains

Abstract

Decarbonizing hard-to-abate-sectors (e.g., aviation) entails the development of novel technology value chains (TVCs) from scratch, likely resulting in new technological innovation systems (TISs). We build upon value chain complementarity literature to investigate the role of strategic agency in TVC development through a qualitative case-study based on Norwegian commercial aviation. We derive three actor roles – synchronizer, amplifier, and integrator – from existing literature and explore their activities and characteristics. We find that although TVC building is a collective effort, each sector plays a unique role in setting up new value chains. While focal producers mostly act as synchronizers, input and user sectors play a major amplifier role, whereas meta-value chain actors are key integrators. Moreover, from an agency perspective, our analysis shows that network breadth and actor versatility are decisive factors affecting the development of new TVCs.