the production and consumption of electronic products (e.g. iPhones, laptops etc.) happens through a complex set of interactions between “actors” within an innovation system.

within this innovation system there are stocks and flows of knowledge and financial incentives, technical and institutional locks-ins and embedded social practices.

environmental impacts (e.g. waste) are “system failures” as they are a result of decisions and embedded practices occuring at di�erent parts of the innovation system.

if government should correct system failures and enable a circular economy, how, where and when should they intervene?

connecting the dots of theelectronic product innovation system

the challenge

the issue

simon o’ra�erty 2013

electronic product

innovation system