Low-carbon value chain building strategies across industrial and political contexts: A comparative analysis of decarbonization efforts in Norwegian and Japanese aviation

Decarbonizing the aviation sector is a complex challenge that requires coordinated efforts across industries and the development of new value chains. This paper presents a comparative study of low-carbon aviation value chain building in Norway and Japan. We examine how industry and policy actors in these two countries approach the development of cleaner aviation technologies and infrastructure. Using interviews and document analysis, we find major differences regarding the composition of actor networks, the sequencing, focus and scale of value chain building activities, and the role of regulations. In Norway, the process is driven by start-ups and emphasizes national coordination. In Japan, large incumbent firms lead the way, often engaging with international stakeholders. These contrasting approaches reflect broader differences in political, industrial, and resource endowments. This study highlights the complex, multi-scalar nature of value chain development in hard-to-abate sectors and examines stakeholder strategies to navigate sectoral interdependencies in low-carbon innovation. It also offers insights to guide effective aviation decarbonization policies across diverse industrial and political contexts. Aviation value chains’ multi-scalarity. • Agency dynamics in aviation technological value chain (TVC) development were analyzed. • Main differences concerning actor roles, rationales, and activities were found in Norway and Japan. • The degree of TVC structuration depends on place-based resources and industrial culture. • While the TVC structure is nationally bound, complementarity processes develop inter-spatially. • TVC complementarity processes shape new global value chain governance dynamics.