Abstract
The multi-level perspective (MLP) is a prominent transition framework. The MLP posits that transitions come about through interaction processes within and among three analytical levels: niches, socio-technical regimes and a socio-technical landscape. This systematic review provides an overview on the use of the MLP in research on agro-food sustainability transitions. In particular, it analyses the understanding, conceptualisation and operationalisation of niches, regimes and landscapes. Niches considered in the selected papers include agro-ecology, organic agriculture, permaculture, conservation agriculture, integrated farming, and alternative food networks. Regime refers to industrial, conventional agriculture. The researched regime is often not clearly described and its operationalisation is a matter of deliberation. Landscape level is generally overlooked; when it is considered it refers to international trends and developments. Many scholars highlight the inadequacy of transition pathways in the MLP for the agro-food sector. Moreover, transition impacts are rarely addressed and the research field generally overlooks the analysis of the sustainability of niches and, consequently, of transitions. Research on transitions in the agro-food sector borrows from the MLP its generalizability and poor empirical operationalisation of niche, regime and landscape concepts. Therefore, integrative conceptualisation and operationalisation of the MLP elements is required to accommodate the complexity of sustainability transition processes and the peculiarities of the agro-food system.
Highlights
Sustainability transitions refer to “long-term, multi-dimensional and fundamental transformation processes through which established socio-technical systems shift to more sustainable modes of production and consumption” (p. 956) [1]
The multi-level perspective (MLP) distinguishes between different transition pathways, depending on the nature and timing of the multi-level interactions [37]; they include: reproduction process, transformation pathway, de-alignment and re-alignment pathway, technological substitution, and reconfiguration
For the selected research papers, the analysis focused on the following issues: topical focus and bibliometrics; conceptualisation of the MLP elements: niche, regime(s) and landscape; For the selected research papers, the analysis focused on the following issues: topical focus and bibliometrics; conceptualisation of the MLP elements: niche, regime(s) and landscape; understanding of transition pathways; assessment of transition impacts and outcomes; criticisms of the MLP and proposals for improvements, and the integration of the MLP with other transition frameworks (e.g., transition management (TM), strategic niche management (SNM))
Summary
Sustainability transitions refer to “long-term, multi-dimensional and fundamental transformation processes through which established socio-technical systems shift to more sustainable modes of production and consumption” (p. 956) [1]. The MLP distinguishes between different transition pathways, depending on the nature (symbiotic or competitive) and timing of the multi-level interactions [37]; they include: reproduction process (stable regime in absence of landscape pressure), transformation pathway (niche-innovations insufficiently developed, landscape pressure stimulates regime to gradually adjust), de-alignment and re-alignment pathway (niche-innovations insufficiently developed, major landscape pressure destabilizes the regime causing its de-alignment, prolonged co-existence of niche-innovations lead to re-alignment around one niche that creates a new regime), technological substitution (disruptive technical niche-innovations sufficiently developed when landscape pressure on regime occurs), and reconfiguration (symbiotic niche-innovations incorporated into the regime and trigger further adjustments under landscape pressure) Another transition pathway addresses the possibility of a transition paths sequence, that’s to say when transition starts following one path but later shifts to another one.
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