DNA Nanotechnology in Germany: can entrepreneurs drive its diffusion?

MSM student Ms. Hanh Luong La successfully defended her MPhil thesis on 16 June 2016 on: What drives the diffusion of an emerging technology? The case of DNA Nanotechnology in Germany.

Her thesis addresses the fact that DNA Nanotechnology is a branch of nanotechnology, which is characterized by relative slow diffusion rates during its formative stage, compared to other breakthrough technologies. This slowness may entail the risk that the new knowledge never reaches the market place. To better understand the diffusion processes this study aims to identify and clarify key factors impacting on the diffusion of DNA Nanotechnology in Germany, based on the Technological Innovation System framework. The proposed model builds on the relationship of entrepreneurial activities and knowledge development to the diffusion of the technology, moderated by institutional and infrastructural factors.

Soon a Maastricht Open Online Education (MOOE) resource will be made available on this topic on the MSM YouTube channel.