Technological change for environmental improvement : the case of the Mexican automobile sector
Author(s)
Aoki, Chizuru, 1968-
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Other Contributors
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Technology, Management, and Policy Program.
Advisor
Joanne M. Kauffman.
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The main objective of this research was to articulate the processes and factors of technological change that promote environmental improvement while contributing to development goals in the Mexican automobile sector. The motivation stemmed from the need for air pollution mitigation in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA). The research analyzed three cases of environmental technology introduction in passenger vehicles, and synthesized the case findings into a conceptual model. The case studies were complemented with quantitative analyses of parameters of national technological capability acquisition, and scenario analysis of emission mitigation potential. The research showed that environmental technological change in the Mexican auto sector is increasingly influenced by external factors, specifically global sector development and conditions in countries with major auto producers and export markets. Environmental technological change could be articulated within the framework of conventional technological change, with some differences, such as: the need to account for environmental policy as a distinct factor, different motivations of private sector actors in acquiring technological capabilities and deploying technology, and interactions and conflicts between environmental policy and other factors, which can create barriers. The research found that environmental policy is a necessary but not sufficient factor to induce environmental technological change in Mexico. Environmental policy did and does influence environmental technological change by specifying the time and pacing of technology introduction. The scenario analysis showed the projected effectiveness of technology options. (cont.) Recommendations for the Mexican policymakers include: (1) the role and limitations of environmental policy in the process of environmental technological change should be recognized; (2) policymakers should strive to minimize institutional fragmentation, which undermines policy implementation; (3) vehicle technology options should be considered further, due to their effectiveness, and political and institutional feasibility; (4) the environmental authorities are likely to encounter opposition to Mexico-specific technology requirements, particularly if they are more stringent than in the US or Europe; and (5) the authorities' ability to benefit from the export platform to introduce advanced technologies in Mexico will be diminished if export markets shift towards markets with less stringent emission standards than the US and Europe.
Description
Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, Technology, Management, and Policy Program, 2002. Includes bibliographical references (p. 224-235).
Date issued
2002Department
Technology and Policy Program; Sloan School of ManagementPublisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Keywords
Technology, Management, and Policy Program.