The future in sustainability transitions - Interlinkages between the multi-level perspective and futures studies

Abstract

This article focuses on a key framework of sustainability transition studies, the multi-level perspective on socio-technical transitions (MLP), and its potential and relationships with futures studies. We propose that there are various co-benefits in creating convergence between the two fields of study. Out of established frameworks in sustainability transition studies we focus on MLP due to its popularity and flexibility in analysing the dynamics of societal changes. Our analysis shows that there are various conceptual, content-based and methodological connections between MLP and futures studies that have been under-represented in both fields of literature. There are considerable similarities between scenarios and development pathways; weak signals and niche innovations; megatrends and landscape pressures. So far, MLP has been underutilized to analyse the variety of alternative futures. The MLP framework gives a structure on the systemic dynamics in societal change and futures studies provide apt methods to construct alternative pathways to societal transitions. We conclude that futures studies and the MLP framework, along with other theories and approaches in transition studies and management, have a high joint potential and thus contribute to better understanding of the dynamics of change for more sustainable futures. Realization of this potential requires further convergence of the approaches.