Abstract
This article seeks to show why and in which way a combination of the MLP with typology of innovations based on diffusion research can be fruitful for practical application of the MLP, as well as for refining the conceptual view on regime/niche interactions resulting from innovations from long established market niches. Application of the MLP to the example of absorption chiller innovations in the changing socio-technical refrigeration regime demonstrates that characterisation of innovations only by criteria offered by MLP authors can lead to inconclusive results. I argue that this is because they are innovations from market-niche technologies for which the distinction between radical and incremental innovations is not sufficient, as it neglects the changing character of innovations over time. It is important, I conclude, to clearly distinguish incremental innovations to market-niche technologies which perpetuate the radical character of their origin from incremental innovations of regime-dominant technologies. To enable a characterisation independent from the criterion of novelty that the MLP focuses on to distinguish radical and incremental innovations, I propose a more detailed classification based on theoretical and practical findings from diffusion research. Beyond facilitating a much more differentiated characterisation, this combination also opens up possibilities to reconsider and refine understanding of interdependencies of innovations from long established market-niche technologies and patterns of regime development.
Highlights
At present, several supply or infrastructure systems are undergoing profound processes of change, from electricity or mobility to agricultural systems
This article seeks to show why and in which way a combination of the multi-level perspective (MLP) with typology of innovations based on diffusion research can be fruitful for practical application of the MLP, as well as for refining the conceptual view on regime/niche interactions resulting from innovations from long established market niches
The multi-level perspective (MLP) has been frequently used to examine multiple fields of sustainable transition (Geels, 2007; Holtz, Brugnach & Pahl-Wostl, 2008; Raven, Heiskanen, Lovio, Hodson & Brohmann, 2007). Since this approach focuses on the interdependency of radical technological niche-innovations and socio-technical regime change, it is suitable for fields of action where technology plays a significant role
Summary
Several supply or infrastructure systems are undergoing profound processes of change, from electricity or mobility to agricultural systems. Diverse and long-term character of regime developments has been emphasised in the recent literature, consequences for the typing of innovations in different stages of regime and niche interaction have not been considered within the framework Without question, this has proved to be an adequate approach for many cases as, in practice, relevant – radical – innovations are usually characterised on the basis of a public and/or scientific consensus that they can and probably will lead to a regime shift or because authors are engaging in retrospective analysis. As this attempt reveals that these exhibit characteristics of both incremental and radical innovations, I analyse underlying causes, focusing on the characteristics and function of market niches in the MLP innovations refining non-regime-dominant technologies (section 4), which has been neglected up to now.
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