System‐of‐systems approach for assessment of financial innovations in infrastructure

Purpose – The purpose of the study presented in this paper is to assess determinants of financial innovations in infrastructure using a system‐of‐systems approach, and to demonstrate this approach in the context of the US highway transportation sector. Design/methodology/approach – A system‐of‐systems approach is adopted for systemic assessment. Data obtained from a case‐based research approach and a survey deployed to the state Departments of Transportation in the US is utilized in parallel with a network analysis to explore the status quo, key players and interactions, and the drivers of financial innovations for infrastructure. Findings – The findings include constructs regarding the players, practices, and activities and also a conceptual model relating to the drivers of financial innovations. Practical implications – The model along with the constructs provides an analytical tool for understanding the dynamics of financial innovations. Such understanding would lead to expansion of the creation and diffusion of financial innovation practices in the highway transportation infrastructure globally. Originality/value – The study presented in this paper is the first of its kind to identify the determinants of financial innovations in infrastructure based on a systemic approach.