How do changing institutional logics affect innovation? The cases of Online Electric Vehicle and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle in Korea

The coevolution of technological capabilities and institutional arrangements is critical for the success of innovations. Yet, it remains unclear how actors’ shifting relations during institutional change affect innovation. The paper examines the dynamics in how actors shape the institution by integrating the institutional logics perspective with policy mix literature. Insights are drawn from the Online Electric Vehicle and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle cases in Korea, where involved stakeholders revealed contrasting identities and practices throughout the innovation stages. While both cases witnessed shifts in institutional logics, the repercussions on innovation differed depending on the characteristics of actors’ identity mix. Findings contribute to institutional theory by expanding the traditional dyadic perspective on incumbent and emerging institutional logics. We also add to the policy mix literature by introducing a neo-institutional perspective. The paper concludes by underlining how the overarching characteristics of the institutional mix trigger different coordination failures.