DAB+ as a systemic innovation: Stakeholder interests and the introduction of digital radio

Abstract

Radio is on the brink of a digital wave brought about by the introduction of digital audio broadcasting (DAB+). Despite market success in a few European countries, there remains little evidence of industry support and consumer demand. By means of a stakeholder analysis, the article identifies the main stakeholders in the implementation of digital radio in the region of Flanders, to recognise tensions between public and private interests and to discuss possible government policies aimed at promoting the standard among all stakeholders. By seeing DAB+ as a systemic innovation, it offers a structural approach to address the ongoing dynamics of the organisational and institutional system around DAB+ and other media distribution technologies in other European markets (or beyond).