A global south perspective on the interplay between innovation policy mix and technological innovation systems dynamics: The case of Dhaka City's road passenger transport system

In the TIS-based innovation policy mix lens (Kivimaa and Kern, 2016), this paper investigates Dhaka City's low-emission transport policy mix (2000−2021), adopting document analysis and policy mapping exercises in an abductive research approach.The policy mix was geared towards influencing incremental but transformative transport regime change rather than niche stimulation and regime destabilization. It was supportive of selected low-emission transport supply-side solutions rather than transport demand management (TDM). It facilitated a positive role of the development partners in selected low-emission transports by technology transfer, resource mobilization, and local capacity development. While local prospective low-emission transport alternatives, i.e., walking and cycling received little policy support, highemission transports continued to receive it. Potentially disruptive policies were adopted but they lacked specific implementation mechanisms. The complex narratives found to be in play in the Global South inform that, compared to the Global North, understanding low-emission transport transitions in their megacities requires innovative thinking and context-specific approaches. To better capture and explain the unfolding low-emission transport transitions in the Global South megacities, we amended the TIS-based innovation policy mix framework by incorporating two functions – Changes in organizational routines and networks (IT1) and Changes in user practices and preferences (IT2) – aggregated into a new category, i.e., ‘Incremental but transformative regime-based change (IT). We argue that a Global South policy mix that supports low-emission transport niches (C-functions), high-emission transport regimes destabilization (D-functions) and incremental but transformative regime-based change (IT-functions) can influence a whole system change towards transport transitions. •The extended TIS-based innovation policy mix analysis can better capture and explain Global South transport transition policies.•Policies tend to stimulate incremental but transformative transport regime change rather than niche stimulation and regime destabilization.•Policies cater to supply-side solutions rather than transport demand management (TDM).•Development partners support low-emission transport transitions by selective technology transfer, resource mobilization, and capacity development.•While local low-emission transport alternatives, i.e., walking, and cycling receive little p