Case Study of the Innovation Process Characterizing the Development of the Three-Way Catalytic Converter System

摘要

This report traces the development of the three-way catalytic converter system from its origins in automaker and chemical firm research in the 1950s, to present plans preparing the system to be the auto exhaust emission control device most widely used on American cars in the 1980s. Multiple forces led to the decision by major automakers in the late 1970s to adopt the system. Among these forces were tightening exhaust emissions regulations; the development of low-cost, mass-producible system components; and institutional factors including strong system advocates, internationalization of the auto industry, and the desire of certain technology-oriented automakers to defend their U.S. market shares by adoption of the system. The paper concludes that the three-way converter system may become the dominant auto exhaust emission control device for American-market cars in the 1980s if problems relating to adoption of the system to 6 and 8 cylinder engines, reduction in requirements for precious metals, and the development of secure sources of supply for those metals are resolved.