Industry Emergence Research for the New Space Economy

Abstract This chapter emphasizes the importance of incorporating process research methodologies into new space economy (NSE) analyses to complement the prevalent variance research methods. While variance research focuses on static relationships and “what” changes, process research investigates “how” change occurs over time, revealing the dynamic processes behind industry emergence. The chapter introduces key concepts for understanding process research, highlights its role in capturing the complexities of the NSE, and contrasts it with variance research. It presents the NSE as an interconnected network of communities and introduces the “fireworks model” to illustrate innovation phases: initiation, development, and implementation. By applying this model to the suborbital tourism industry, the chapter demonstrates process research’s value in understanding NSE evolution, advocating for its broader use to support strategic planning and decision-making for government, commercial, and academic stakeholders.