Abstract
Intermediary actors have been proposed as key catalysts that speed up change towards more sustainable socio-technical systems. Research on this topic has gradually gained traction since 2009, but has been complicated by the inconsistency regarding what intermediaries are in the context of such transitions and which activities they focus on, or should focus on. We briefly elaborate on the conceptual foundations of the studies of intermediaries in transitions, and how intermediaries have been connected to different transition theories. This shows the divergence – and sometimes a lack – of conceptual foundations in this research. In terms of transitions theories, many studies connect to the multi-level perspective and strategic niche management, while intermediaries in technological innovation systems and transition management have been much less explored. We aim to bring more clarity to the topic of intermediaries in transitions by providing a definition of transition intermediaries and a typology of five intermediary types that is sensitive to the emergence, neutrality and goals of intermediary actors as well as their context and level of action. Some intermediaries are specifically set up to facilitate transitions, while others grow into the role during the process of socio-technical change. Based on the study, as an important consideration for future innovation governance, we argue that systemic and niche intermediaries are the most crucial forms of intermediary actors in transitions, but they need to be complemented by a full ecology of intermediaries, including regime-based transition intermediaries, process intermediaries and user intermediaries.
Highlights
Intermediary actors have been proposed as key catalysts that speed up change towards more sustainable socio-technical systems (e.g. Hodson et al, 2013) as part of sustainability transition policies (Wieczorek and Hekkert, 2012)
The following is covered: the conceptual foundations of intermediaries and what transition perspectives they are connected to (Section 4.1); how intermediaries emerge in the context of transitions (Section 4.2); different contexts for intermediating in transitions (Section 4.3); the goals and normative positioning of intermediaries (Section 4.4); changes in intermediation during transitions (Section 4.5); and a typology of transition intermediary types (Section 4.6)
They described systemic intermediaries as building blocks of innovation systems, being new types of intermediaries that operate “in networks instead of ‘one to one’ mediation” (Van Lente et al, 2003). Such intermediaries are seen to carry out systemic functions, including the articulation of options and demand, alignment of actors and possibilities, and support in learning processes. The article illustrates this in cases that relate to sustainability transitions
Summary
Intermediary actors have been proposed as key catalysts that speed up change towards more sustainable socio-technical systems (e.g. Hodson et al, 2013) as part of sustainability transition policies (Wieczorek and Hekkert, 2012). The transformation of socio-technical systems is characterized by shifts in relations between actor groups, between infrastructures, and between technologies and contexts of application. Hodson and Marvin, 2009; Rohracher, 2009; Backhaus, 2010; Bush et al, 2017; Kivimaa and Martiskainen, 2018a). Studies using notions such as “middle actors” (Parag and Janda, 2014), “hybrid actors” (Elzen et al, 2012) and “boundary spanners” (Franks, 2010; Smink et al, 2015; Tisenkopfs et al, 2015) have addressed intermediary-like functions. Terms related to mediating space, such as “user assemblages” (Nielsen, 2016) and “interaction arenas” (Hyysalo and Usenyuk, 2015; Hyysalo et al, 2017) refer to intermediation for technologies in transition without explicitly mentioning intermediaries
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