IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/transa/v186y2024ics0965856424001800.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Who are the early adopters of alternative fuel technology? A study of Swedish road freight companies

Author

Listed:
  • Henrik, Sällberg
  • Emil, Numminen

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of three key firm characteristics (diversification, size, and age) on road freight companies’ early adoption of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). While previous studies have identified the determinants of the adoption intention of AFVs, a gap in the literature is research into firm characteristics and the early adopters of AFVs. Because early adopters play an important role in the diffusion of innovation, it is imperative to fill this gap. Based on a survey of 156 Swedish road freight companies and logistic regression analyses, we report that firm size and diversification affect the early adoption of AFVs. In addition, the partial impact of the importance of driver comfort and payload capacity on early adoption of AFVs has been reported. Other factors, including purchase price, fuel cost, and truck refueling efficiency, were not found to discriminate early adopters of AFVs from those who had not yet adopted AFVs. These findings imply to policymakers that the current instruments in use in Sweden, including the greenhouse gas mandate and the relatively high taxation on diesel fuel, have led to the adoption of AFVs by larger road freight companies. For vehicle producers aiming to scale up the production and sales of AFV, the findings suggest the benefit of targeting diversified and larger road freight companies in the first place.

Suggested Citation

  • Henrik, Sällberg & Emil, Numminen, 2024. "Who are the early adopters of alternative fuel technology? A study of Swedish road freight companies," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:186:y:2024:i:c:s0965856424001800
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2024.104132
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965856424001800
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.tra.2024.104132?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. N. Berger, Allen & F. Udell, Gregory, 1998. "The economics of small business finance: The roles of private equity and debt markets in the financial growth cycle," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 22(6-8), pages 613-673, August.
    2. Eva Lövstål & Henrik Sällberg & Anders Wrenne, 2023. "Determinants of Electric Road System Adoption by Road Freight Companies," International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management (IJITM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 20(05), pages 1-28, August.
    3. Brian T. Gregory & Matthew W. Rutherford & Sharon Oswald & Lorraine Gardiner, 2005. "An Empirical Investigation of the Growth Cycle Theory of Small Firm Financing," Journal of Small Business Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(4), pages 382-392, October.
    4. Parker, R. Stephen & Fletchall, Heather & Pettijohn, Charles E., 1997. "Truck operators' perspectives on use of alternative fuels," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 73-78, March.
    5. Hanna Rydehell & Anders Isaksson & Hans Löfsten, 2019. "Business networks and localization effects for new Swedish technology-based firms’ innovation performance," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 44(5), pages 1547-1576, October.
    6. Jenny Meyer, 2011. "Workforce age and technology adoption in small and medium-sized service firms," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 37(3), pages 305-324, October.
    7. Brodrick, Christie-Joy & Lipman, Timothy & Farshchi, Mohammad & Lutsey, Nicholas P. & Dwyer, Harry A. & Sperling, Dan & Gouse, Bill & Harris, D Bruce & King, Foy G, 2002. "Evaluation of Fuel Cell Auxiliary Power Units for Heavy-Duty Diesel Trucks," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt3dn7n50v, University of California Transportation Center.
    8. Brodrick, Christie-Joy & Lipman, Timothy & Farshchi, Mohammad & Lutsey, Nicholas & Dwyer, Harry & Sperling, Daniel & Gouse, S. William & King, Foy, 2002. "Evaluation of Fuel Cell Auxiliary Power Units for Heavy-Duty Diesel Trucks," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt1bt204qt, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    9. Ozgur Dedehayir & Roland J. Ortt & Carla Riverola & Francesc Miralles, 2017. "Innovators And Early Adopters In The Diffusion Of Innovations: A Literature Review," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 21(08), pages 1-27, December.
    10. Cantillo, Víctor & Amaya, Johanna & Serrano, Iván & Cantillo-García, Víctor & Galván, Janer, 2022. "Influencing factors of trucking companies willingness to shift to alternative fuel vehicles," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    11. Tommi Inkinen & Esa Hämäläinen, 2020. "Reviewing Truck Logistics: Solutions for Achieving Low Emission Road Freight Transport," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-11, August.
    12. Constantinos C. Markides & Peter J. Williamson, 1994. "Related diversification, core competences and corporate performance," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 15(S2), pages 149-165, June.
    13. Sayan Chatterjee & Birger Wernerfelt, 1991. "The link between resources and type of diversification: Theory and evidence," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 12(1), pages 33-48, January.
    14. Raza-Ullah, Tatbeeq & Kostis, Angelos, 2020. "Do trust and distrust in coopetition matter to performance?," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 367-376.
    15. Konstantinou, Theodora & Gkritza, Konstantina, 2023. "Are we getting close to truck electrification? U.S. truck fleet managers’ stated intentions to electrify their fleets," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    16. Zhang, Yong & Jiang, Yunjian & Rui, Weina & Thompson, Russell G., 2019. "Analyzing truck fleets’ acceptance of alternative fuel freight vehicles in China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 1148-1155.
    17. Hasan Huseyin Coban & Aysha Rehman & Abdullah Mohamed, 2022. "Analyzing the Societal Cost of Electric Roads Compared to Batteries and Oil for All Forms of Road Transport," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-20, March.
    18. David J. Teece & Gary Pisano & Amy Shuen, 1997. "Dynamic capabilities and strategic management," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(7), pages 509-533, August.
    19. Vijverberg, Chu-Ping C., 2004. "An empirical financial accelerator model: Small firms' investment and credit rationing," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 26(1), pages 101-129, March.
    20. Elena Huergo & Jordi Jaumandreu, 2004. "How Does Probability of Innovation Change with Firm Age?," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 22(3_4), pages 193-207, April.
    21. Roma, Paolo & Vasi, Maria, 2019. "Diversification and performance in the mobile app market: The role of the platform ecosystem," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 123-139.
    22. Long Su & Ruijia Liu & Kenan Liu & Kai Li & Li Liu & Yinggang Shi, 2023. "Greenhouse Tomato Picking Robot Chassis," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-23, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Halkos, George Emmanuel & Tzeremes, Nickolaos G., 2007. "Productivity efficiency and firm size: An empirical analysis of foreign owned companies," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 16(6), pages 713-731, December.
    2. Konstantinou, Theodora & Gkritza, Konstantina, 2023. "Are we getting close to truck electrification? U.S. truck fleet managers’ stated intentions to electrify their fleets," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    3. Alex Coad, 2018. "Firm age: a survey," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 28(1), pages 13-43, January.
    4. Herenia Gutiérrez‐Ponce, 2024. "Determinants of corporate leverage and sustainability of small and medium‐sized enterprises: The case of commercial companies in Ecuador," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(8), pages 8319-8331, December.
    5. Pregelj, Boštjan & Micor, Michał & Dolanc, Gregor & Petrovčič, Janko & Jovan, Vladimir, 2016. "Impact of fuel cell and battery size to overall system performance – A diesel fuel-cell APU case study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 182(C), pages 365-375.
    6. repec:ehu:cuader:33227 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Markus Menz & Sven Kunisch & Julian Birkinshaw & David J. Collis & Nicolai J. Foss & Robert E. Hoskisson & John E. Prescott, 2021. "Corporate Strategy and the Theory of the Firm in the Digital Age," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(7), pages 1695-1720, November.
    8. Coad, Alex & Segarra, Agustí & Teruel, Mercedes, 2013. "Like milk or wine: Does firm performance improve with age?," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 173-189.
    9. Alain Asquin & R. Moore, 2003. "Trajectories, Strategic Formulas and Contingencies : pathways to entrepreneurial success," Post-Print halshs-00688892, HAL.
    10. Adamides, Emmanuel D. & Voutsina, Marinie, 2006. "The double-helix model of manufacturing and marketing strategies," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 104(1), pages 3-18, November.
    11. Emanuele Brancati & Carlo Pietrobelli & Caio Torres Mazzi, 2024. "The Influence of value chain governance on innovation performance: A study of Italian suppliers," Eurasian Business Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 14(2), pages 319-344, June.
    12. Shelton, Lois M., 2000. "Merger market dynamics: insights into the behavior of target and bidder firms," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 41(4), pages 363-383, April.
    13. Diaz-Di­az, Nieves Lidia & Aguiar-Di­az, Inmaculada & De Saá-Pérez, Petra, 2008. "The effect of technological knowledge assets on performance: The innovative choice in Spanish firms," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(9), pages 1515-1529, October.
    14. Kim, Namil & Lee, Hyeokseong & Kim, Wonjoon & Lee, Hyunjong & Suh, Jong Hwan, 2015. "Dynamic patterns of industry convergence: Evidence from a large amount of unstructured data," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(9), pages 1734-1748.
    15. Lutsey, Nicholas & Brodrick, Christie-Joy & Lipman, Timothy, 2007. "Analysis of potential fuel consumption and emissions reductions from fuel cell auxiliary power units (APUs) in long-haul trucks," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(12), pages 2428-2438.
    16. Villasalero, Manuel, 2017. "A resource-based analysis of realized knowledge relatedness in diversified firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 114-124.
    17. Abraham Carmeli & Asher Tishler, 2004. "Resources, capabilities, and the performance of industrial firms: A multivariate analysis," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 25(6-7), pages 299-315.
    18. Lucía Muñoz-Pascual & Jesús Galende, 2020. "Ambidextrous Knowledge and Learning Capability: The Magic Potion for Employee Creativity and Sustainable Innovation Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-27, May.
    19. Halkos, George & Tzeremes, Nickolaos, 2008. "National culture and multinational performance," MPRA Paper 23763, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    20. Ricarda Schauerte & Stéphanie Feiereisen & Alan J. Malter, 2021. "What does it take to survive in a digital world? Resource-based theory and strategic change in the TV industry," Journal of Cultural Economics, Springer;The Association for Cultural Economics International, vol. 45(2), pages 263-293, June.
    21. Clement R. Mumba Jr, 2024. "Factors Influencing Sustainable Entrepreneurship Development in Zambia: A Case Study of Chingola Town," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(3s), pages 4019-4084, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:186:y:2024:i:c:s0965856424001800. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/547/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.