The Role of Territorially Embedded Innovation Ecosystems Accelerating Sustainability Transformations: A Case Study of the Transformation to Organic Wine Production in Tuscany (Italy)

Cristina Chaminade,Filippo Randelli

doi:10.3390/su12114621

Abstract

Over the last few years, there has been a growing concern among academics and practitioners about the slow pace in which sustainability transformations unfold. While most socio-technical transformations tend to happen over extended periods, research shows that unless some dramatic changes are introduced, we are risking damaging the critical earth systems that sustain human life. In this context, understanding why and how transformations happen at a much faster pace in certain places than in others is of crucial importance. This paper investigates the rapid transformation of Panzano, from traditional wine production to organically produced wine. Using a combination of document analysis, participant observation, and face to face interviews in Panzano in 2019, this article examines the role of the territorially embedded innovation ecosystems facilitating this fast transformation. The study looks at place based-structural preconditions and different forms of agency at different stages in the transformation. Our findings illustrate that a place-based agency is paramount for accelerating sustainability transformations.

Highlights

In November 2018, the UN IPCC report indicated that profound transformations are needed before 2030 if we want to avert catastrophic environmental consequences, including the total loss of all coral reefs and a significant reduction of island communities [1]
This paper aims to address this gap by looking at the role of territorially embedded innovation ecosystems (TEIE) in accelerated sustainability transformations
The main finding is that understanding agency, which is how different actors might strategically join forces in networks to achieve particular goals, is key to overcoming the structural system inertia to incremental change and realizing transformations [11]. Both structural preconditions and agency vary significantly between different territories, and economic geographers have criticized the current literature on sustainability transformations for their lip service to the analysis on how innovative ecosystems embedded in particular territories shape the speed and direction of transformations [16,17,18]

Summary

Introduction

In November 2018, the UN IPCC report indicated that profound transformations are needed before 2030 if we want to avert catastrophic environmental consequences, including the total loss of all coral reefs and a significant reduction of island communities [1]. The literature has significantly contributed to our understanding of enabling factors supporting transformations and the role of agency It has received critiques, from economic geographers, on the lack of attention to how innovative ecosystems embedded in particular territories, shape the speed and direction of transformations [14,15,16]. Grillitch and Sotarauta suggest that different forms of agency can shape the opportunity space for transformation: entrepreneurial, institutional, and place-based Regarding the latter, a strong sense of place [14] place frames [15] or place leadership [21] as a shared understanding of the identity of a place, and a shared vision of what that place might become, is crucial for transformations.

Sustainability Transformations

Research Design

Data Collection and Analysis

Findings

Discussion