A Compatibility Framework for System Transition Literature

Abstract

A complex (adaptive) system consists of heterogeneous, autonomous agents that interact with one another. Conceptual theories in the literature of complex systems transition are vast and seem to be discrete. This paper attempts to collect together all concepts of (socio-technical) system transitions to design an all-inclusive compatibility framework for the complex literature in socio-technical transitions. The framework takes the form of a universal system transition model that integrates and harmonises theories and practices on socio-technical transitions to simplify understanding of the complexity and diversity of complex systems transition literature. The framework was designed by appropriately superimposing, streamlining and condensing the existing transition models to produce a single universal model. With the multi-level perspective (MLP) framework as the reference centre, all other concepts could be suitably identified and described without much ambiguity. The other components of the framework include the analytical concepts of the multi-phase perspective (MPP) of transition phases, the stocks-flows concept of transition, and the management concepts of transition design and management process. The various system elements are represented by the three dimensions of actors, rules/institutions, and technical components. The universal transition framework accurately demonstrates and represents the core ideas of system transitions by accurately identifying and matching all the elements in a monolithic typology for instant conceptualisation.