Overcoming vested interests against innovation through political entrepreneurship: A comparative study of Korean mobility cases

• Published in: Science & public policy Vol. 48; no. 3; pp. 412 - 422
• Main Authors: Choi, Yong In, Kim, Byoung-Joo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press 01.06.2021
• Subjects: innovation; science and technology policy; vested interest; political entrepreneurship; political compromise; collective action
• ISSN: 0302-3427; 1471-5430
• DOI: 10.1093/scipol/scab019

Abstract Technological innovators encounter resistance when vested interests organize collective actions to block progress and preserve their turfs. Some innovators make politically strategic and tactical choices to overcome such resistance, while others take different paths and fail. To identify factors enabling the successful management of resistance, this study reviews relevant theoretical concepts, examines and compares two recent Korean mobility cases, and discusses their policy implications. ‘Political entrepreneurship’ of innovators plays a critical role in enabling innovative newcomers overcome collective action by vested interests. Successful political entrepreneurship seeks compromises and win-win solutions. This paper adds to science, technology, and innovation literature by suggesting that policymakers should do what they can to encourage innovative newcomers to pursue ‘political entrepreneurship’ when they face seemingly insurmountable opposition. This study builds on Mancur Olson’s theory of collective action in the context of innovations studies, by adding ‘political entrepreneurship’ and broadening the scope for resolving the Olsonian dilemma.