Multilevel Perspective Research Articles

Niche Sustainable Agricultural Production in Colombia: The Case of Territorial Development Agendas and Development Planning in the Province of García Rovira

This article addresses the emergence of a niche for sustainable agricultural production in the province of García Rovira, Colombia. It examines the intervention of the Colombian planning regime, which implements agendas for sustainable territorial development. However, these agendas are not adequately aligned with provincial realities, resulting in a productive decline. From a multi-level perspective, a production niche linked to the landscape has been identified, emphasizing sustainable practices and innovation. This study aimed to explore how planning influences the emergence of such niches and identified factors that promote their transition towards sustainability. Through a mixed methodology, growing sectors were accentuated and the profiles of the producers involved were outlined. The main conclusion is that the planned intervention is inefficient as the niche of sustainable production emerges without a clear influence. Therefore, it is proposed to re-evaluate planning using alternative analysis frameworks to detect emerging productive dynamics, serving as a basis for future plans.

Exploring the Factors Leading to Diffusion of Alternative Fuels Using a Socio-Technical Transition Approach—A Case Study of LNG as a Marine Fuel in Norway

The maritime shipping sector needs to transition towards a low- or zero-emission future to align with the 1.5 °C temperature goal and the recently adopted and revised greenhouse gas (GHG) strategy at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). A significant research gap exists in understanding how socio-economic and socio-political processes can lead to the adoption of alternative marine fuels that will be essential in meeting the aforementioned goals. The aim of this paper is to use a case study of an existing transition to understand how diffusion takes place, specifically how the adoption of liquified natural gas (LNG) in Norway has unfolded and what lessons can be learnt from this process. To answer this question, a combination of semi-structured interviews with key maritime stakeholders and documentary evidence was collected covering the period from 1985 to 2015. The collected data were analysed through a content analysis approach applying the multilevel perspective (MLP) as a heuristic. The qualitative results paint an interesting picture of the changing attitudes towards LNG as a marine fuel in Norway. In the early years, the adoption of LNG was primarily driven by air pollution and political considerations of using Norwegian natural gas, which over time, evolved into a more focused maritime paradigm painted through the lens of the Norwegian maritime industry under wider regulatory developments such as emission control areas (ECAs). By the 2010s, these drivers were superseded by GHG considerations such as methane slip concerns and a less favourable natural gas market leading to a slowdown of LNG adoption. These findings provide valuable insights for understanding future adoption dynamics of alternative zero-emission fuels, particularly in relation to the role of strong technology champions, institutional modification requirements, and starting conditions for a transition.

A Multilevel Perspective of Organized and Intentional Corporate Social Irresponsibility

A Multilevel Perspective of Organized and Intentional Corporate Social Irresponsibility

Multilevel perspective for the diffusion of e-democracy implementation: A systematic literature review

Information and communication technology has been identified as a viable means of addressing the societal issue of disconnection among e-democracy participants. Apart from the ongoing normative debate concerning the potential of information and communication technology to facilitate e-democratic processes, much research has been dedicated to examining the broad spectrum of specific e-democracy tools that have been multi-disciplinary and fragmented in recent years. Remarkably, however, the potential of technology diffusion and its impact on implementing e-democracy in cyberspace has not yet received adequate attention. The key issue for the sustainability of e-democracy is technology accessibility, which is also a central factor in technology diffusion. This systematic literature review seeks to structure and systematise the literature on the different phases of e-democracy implementation technology diffusion (adoption, implementation, and institutionalisation) and levels of analysis (macro, meso, and micro) with the aims of, firstly, mapping the current field of e-democracy technology diffusion research and, secondly, providing a unique study for use in future research. The analysis indicated that researchers have primarily focused on the adoption and implementation stages, as well as the external information and communication technology environment at the macro level and the organisational level at the meso level within public administrations. In general, this review highlights major gaps in the current literature and proposes viable avenues for further research.

Single- and Multilevel Perspectives on Covariate Selection in Randomized Intervention Studies on Student Achievement

Well-chosen covariates boost the design sensitivity of individually and cluster-randomized trials. We provide guidance on covariate selection generating an extensive compilation of single- and multilevel design parameters on student achievement. Embedded in psychometric heuristics, we analyzed (a) covariate types of varying bandwidth-fidelity, namely domain-identical (IP), cross-domain (CP), and fluid intelligence (Gf) pretests, as well as sociodemographic characteristics (SC); (b) covariate combinations quantifying incremental validities of CP, Gf, and/or SC beyond IP; and (c) covariate time lags of 1–7 years, testing validity degradation in IP, CP, and Gf. Estimates from six German samples (1868 ≤ N ≤ 10,543) covering various outcome domains across grades 1–12 were meta-analyzed and included in precision simulations. Results varied widely by grade level, domain, and hierarchical level. In general, IP outperformed CP, which slightly outperformed Gf and SC. Benefits from coupling IP with CP, Gf, and/or SC were small. IP appeared most affected by temporal validity decay. Findings are applied in illustrative scenarios of study planning and enriched by comprehensive Online Supplemental Material (OSM) accessible via the Open Science Framework (OSF; https://osf.io/nhx4w).

Building the Bridge: How System Dynamics Models Operationalise Energy Transitions and Contribute towards Creating an Energy Policy Toolbox

The complexity and multi-dimensionality of energy transitions are broadly recognised, and insights from transition research increasingly support policy decision making. Sustainability transition scholars have been developing mostly qualitative socio-technical transition (STT) frameworks, and modelling has been argued to be complementary to these frameworks, for example for policy testing. We systematically evaluate five system dynamics (SD) energy models on their representation of key STT characteristics. Our results demonstrate that (i) the evaluated models incorporate most of the core characteristics of STT, and (ii) the policies tested in the models address different levels and aspects of the multi-level perspective (MLP) framework. In light of the increasing emergence of energy (transition) models, we recommend to systematically map models and their tested policy interventions into the MLP framework or other sustainability transition frameworks, creating an overview of tested policies (a “policy navigator”). This navigator supports policy makers and modellers alike, facilitating them to find previously tested policy options and related models for particular policy objectives.

Cultural Tightness-Looseness and Individual Differences in Non-Normativeness Predict Stigmatization of Out-Groups: A Multilevel Cross-Cultural Study

Although a large body of research has focused on the determinants of stigma, multilevel approaches that can identify both micro- and macro-level influences are rarely employed. We adopted a multilevel perspective with data from 174,325 participants from 80 countries in two waves—Wave 5 (Study 1) and Wave 6 (Study 2) of the World Values Survey. We examined how country-level normative tightness-looseness and individual-level non-normativeness relate to stigma toward racial and ethnic out-groups and groups deviating from social standards. Preregistered analyses showed that for both waves individuals in normatively tighter (vs. looser) societies exhibited more stigma generally. Also, for both waves, individuals higher in non-normativeness demonstrated a greater level of stigma toward members of immigrant, racial, or ethnic out-groups while exhibiting a lower level of stigma toward groups deviating from social standards. The current work thus reveals how characteristics of both individuals and culture jointly affect stigma.

Aligning practices towards a circular economy in the architecture, engineering, and construction sector: seven transitions in different stages of reconfiguration

The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector is in need of a transition towards a circular economy. This article offers an analysis of two cases with a wide variation regarding project dynamics in the Netherlands. Alignments and misalignments were analyzed between practices concerning seven design strategies for circular design based on social practice theory and concepts from the multi-level perspective. Results show that many misalignments still hinder the transition, mostly concerning the use of secondary resources, such as notions regarding quality, beauty, and safety among project team members or rapid decision-making processes of the municipality that misalign with the uptake of design with secondary resources. This article offers directions for reconfiguration, such as better tuning between project planning and urban planning and taking up a more flexible stance regarding the function of the building. This research is interesting for practitioners and researchers focusing on the transition towards a circular economy in the AEC sector.

Co-producing Sustainable Supply Chain Transitions: Proposing a template for interdisciplinary systemic service design facilitation

This article aims to explore the underutilised potential of systemic service design methods in providing the necessary overview and facilitating green transitions in sustainable supply chains by being a facilitator of the interdisciplinary process. We will introduce a ‘Mess/Gigamap’ template with an influence from Geels´ (2005)1 ‘Multi-Level Perspective’ model. In addition, we will show how ‘Mess/Gigamaps’ are tools that can aid conversations between stakeholders to visually understand the complexities that they are facing. The aim of this template is to enable the creation of systemic maps as boundary objects to facilitate discussions between multiple stakeholders.

Multilevel integrated healthcare: The evaluation of Project ECHO® networks to integrate children’s healthcare in Australia

The present empirical study aims to explore medical knowledge sharing in the Australian healthcare context, aiming to broadly evaluate the potential impact of Project ECHO®, an online mentoring and networking health program. We focus on health-related knowledge sharing practices among the network of professionals through formal and informal channels, and across different health and non-health sectors and organisational systems. Studying knowledge transmission among professional networks is essential for optimizing healthcare delivery, promoting innovation, and providing insights on improvement of patient experiences within the healthcare system. We utilize a multilevel approach to shape our data collection strategy. Employing network measures and Multilevel Exponential Random Graph Models, we aim to explore how advice and knowledge sharing behaviours among healthcare professionals and their institutions are interdependently connected. Then, we incorporate network generated results within an evaluation framework for establishing some aspects of the efficiency of the ECHO program along four pillars: Acceptability, Capability, Reachability, and Integration. Our investigation found that among ECHO members, hierarchy is less pronounced compared to across levels and organizations, with certain individuals emerging as central in advice-sharing. The multilevel network perspective showed complex, informal patterns of knowledge and information sharing, including inter-organizational hierarchy, role and sector homophily, brokerage roles with popularity across health organizations, and connectivity through knowledge-sharing in cross-level small group clusters.

Entrepreneurial Intentions: Entrepreneurship Education Programs, Cognitive Motivational Factors of Planned Behavior, and Business Incubation Centers

Previous studies have explored the factors influencing entrepreneurial intentions (EIs), primarily focusing on personality traits and various psychological aspects. This study, however, investigates external factors, such as entrepreneurship education programs (EEPs), cognitive motivational factors associated with the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and the impact of business incubation centers (BICs), as moderators of EIs. The research involved 458 respondents from diverse higher education institutions in Asia. Our findings indicate that EEPs and BICs at universities positively and significantly affect students’ EIs. Additionally, the cognitive factors linked to TPB demonstrate a positive and significant direct effect on EIs while also acting as mediators between EEPs and EIs. These findings underscore the importance of adopting a multilevel perspective in designing and implementing EEPs and BICs to better comprehend the determinants of EIs. Our study provides valuable insights for university administrators, policymakers, and entrepreneurship instructors in developing countries to improve the university entrepreneurial ecosystem by creating cohesive programs and supportive institutions. Moreover, the results can serve as encouragement for individuals embarking on an entrepreneurial journey.

How can regional innovation ecosystems attain and maintain stable operation? - an investigation utilising NCA and fsQCA

ABSTRACT This study uses the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) on socio-technical transitions to develop a theoretical model for analyzing the stable operation of regional innovation ecosystems. Focusing on 30 provinces in China, it employs Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) and Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) to systematically examine the configuration paths driving their stability. First, the findings reveal that innovation actors, resources, driving policies, industrial regulations, infrastructures, and the innovation environment are not individually necessary for stability. However, infrastructure is identified as a critical core condition. The study highlights a complex causal relationship and synergistic interplay among the six antecedent conditions. Second, the research identifies two paths to highly stable operation in regional innovation ecosystems: the ‘Innovation Actor + Infrastructure’ path and the ‘Infrastructure’ path. Finally, the results show that configurations for highly and non-highly stable operations exhibit causal asymmetry, indicating ‘different paths to the same destination.’ This study deepens theoretical insights into regional innovation ecosystems and offers actionable strategies for their stable operation.

Driving Paths and Evolution Trends of Urban Low-Carbon Transformation: Configuration Analysis Based on Three Batches of Low-Carbon Pilot Cities

In response to global climate challenges, urban low-carbon transformation has become a critical strategy for sustainable development. This study constructs a theoretical model for urban low-carbon transformation using the multi-level perspective framework. We focused on three batches of low-carbon pilot cities in China and employed fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis to investigate the transformation pathways and impact mechanisms during the periods 2010–2012, 2012–2017, and 2017–2019. The results indicate that none of the six antecedent conditions is necessary for urban low-carbon transformation. Initially, the transformation is primarily driven by a pathway led by low-carbon industries. In the mid-stage, two pathways emerge: one dominated by the combination of low-carbon industries and research and development (R&D) human capital and another led by low-carbon consumption awareness and economic development levels. In the later stage, the influencing factors involve a combination across micro, meso, and macro levels, reflecting an increasingly diversified and intricate configuration. The regional industrial structure consistently plays a dominant role, while awareness of low-carbon consumption has grown over time. This study not only enhances our understanding of the underlying mechanisms but also provides practical policy recommendations for local governments to tailor their strategies for effective low-carbon transformation.

Organizational Diversity and Inclusion Scale (ODIS): A multilevel approach

IntroductionIn the current social context, organizations need to deal with an increasingly heterogeneous workforce. It is therefore necessary to develop measures capable of detecting dynamics of diversity and inclusion in organizations. Objective and methodThis study introduces a new scale, namely the Organizational Diversity and Inclusion Scale (ODIS), which consists of 61 items measuring perceived discrimination, inclusive and discriminatory attitudes toward minority social groups (women, physical/sensory disability, youth workers, seniors, workers of different races and ethnicities, LGBT) and perceptions of diversity management (policy, compliance and structures) in the organizational context. One thousand seven hundred and eighty-four respondents, from both public and private Italian organizations filled in the self-report questionnaire. ResultsAccordingly, an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated a sixteen-factor structure. Criterion and construct validity were tested through correlation analyses with other scales (affective commitment, job satisfaction, turnover intentions, and mobbing at work) and similar measures (Diversity Climate Scale). Results suggest that the ODIS can be reliably used to measure organizational perceptions of diversity and inclusion in a multilevel perspective. ConclusionFindings suggest the importance of using ODIS for multilevel and multidimensional surveys in order to plan and apply actions and interventions, especially among managers.

Diversity and Inclusion in Sport Organizations: A Multilevel Perspective (5th ed.)

Diversity and Inclusion in Sport Organizations: A Multilevel Perspective (5th ed.)

Future ecosystem business model tool: Design science and field test in the efuel ecosystem towards the sustainability transition

This paper presents a novel business model design tool called Future ecosystem business model (FEBM). The FEBM aims to address the lack of managerial tools linking business models, foresight, and ecosystem strategizing in the context of systemic technological changes, as those characterizing the sustainability transition in a multi-level perspective. The tool has been shaped through a design science approach building on a structured review of the literature. A field test was conducted through a case study to test the proposed tool. The empirical context was that of a publicly funded project in the field of electrofuels (efuels). The project foresaw the development and integration of several technologies, whose adoption was likely to have significant implications within and across industries. The proposed approach contributes to the literature on business model design in the context of technology-driven transformations characterized by high uncertainty and interdependence, such as those related to the sustainability transition. Strategy and innovation managers may find in the proposed FEBM tool an actionable approach to shape decision-making against far-reaching technological and societal challenges.

Infrastructure Transitions in Southern Cities: Organising Urban Service Delivery for Climate and Development

Rapidly growing cities in the Global South are characterised by high levels of vulnerability and informality and are expected to bear a disproportionate share of the costs of a changing climate. The confluence of climate change impacts, inequitable urbanisation processes, and under-development emphasise the need for accelerated urban transitions in Southern cities, yet mainstream theories of urban sustainability transitions have been shown to be insufficient for such contexts. This is particularly relevant with regard to urban infrastructure: While mainstream urban theory tends to regard infrastructure as static, centralised, and heavily engineered, infrastructure configurations in cities of the Global South are often heterogeneous, comprising multiple dynamic social and material flows. Drawing on theory from Southern Urbanism and empirical data of unorthodox infrastructures from 14 cities, this article assesses the potential challenges posed by applying a key transitions framework—namely the Multi-Level Perspective—in Southern contexts. The article closes by suggesting a set of theoretical propositions for future conceptual and empirical research that could advance transitions literature more broadly, and highlights the need for all cities to pursue inclusive service delivery models that are responsive to the complex and shifting landscape of climate impacts.

Copper Toxicity in Acidic Phytoplankton: Impacts of Labile Cu Trafficking and Causes of Mitochondria Dysfunction.

Most studies on Cu toxicity relied on indirect physicochemical parameters to predict Cu toxicity resulting from adverse impacts. This study presents a systematic and intuitive picture of Cu toxicity induced by exogenous acidification in phytoplankton Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. We first showed that acidification reduced the algal resistance to environmental Cu stress with a decreased growth rate and increased Cu bioaccumulation. To further investigate this phenomenon, we employed specific fluorescent probes to visualize the intracellular labile Cu pools in different algal cells. Our findings indicated that acidification disrupted the intracellular labile Cu trafficking, leading to a significant increase in labile Cu(I) pools. At the molecular level, Cu toxicity resulted in the inhibition of the Cu(I) import system and activation of the Cu(I) export system in acidic algal cells, likely a response to the imbalance in intracellular labile Cu trafficking. Subcellular analysis revealed that Cu toxicity induced extensive mitochondrial dysfunction and impacted the biogenesis and assembly of the respiratory chain complex in acidic algal cells. Concurrently, we proposed that the activation of polyP synthesis could potentially regulate disrupted intracellular labile Cu trafficking. Our study offers an intuitive, multilevel perspective on the origins and impacts of Cu toxicity in living organisms, providing valuable insights on metal toxicity.

Unveiling success factors for implementing and sustaining circular economy practices in small and medium-sized firms: multi-level perspective

Purpose This study aims to identify and understand critical success factors for implementing and sustaining circular economy (CE) practices in manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). More precisely, this study examines the complex interplay between micro-, meso- and macro-level success factors that are deemed critical for implementing and sustaining CE practices. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on a two-stage methodology that combines a comprehensive literature review and an interview study with 12 Swedish manufacturing SMEs that implement CE practices. Findings The study identifies and categorizes success factors for implementing and sustaining CE practices in manufacturing SMEs. Based on the findings, a holistic framework is proposed that takes into account multiple perspectives, i.e. at the micro, meso and macro levels. This framework enables a deeper understanding and thus a more nuanced discussion of the complexity inherent in the transition to a CE from the perspective of manufacturing SMEs. Originality/value This study contributes to the growing body of research on CE transition. By focusing on SMEs in particular, the paper adds the needed diversity to the study of CE practices and influencing factors at different levels.

Women Workers’ Initiatives in the Field of the Social and Solidarity as a Space for Transforming the Domestic Care System: Potential and Challenges in the Ibero-American Sphere

A just socio-ecological transition calls for a transformation of the care system that ensures the sustainability of human life. This process involves recognising and revaluing unpaid care work it also means improving working conditions in this sector, characterised by the overwhelming contribution of women, including many migrant women, in global care chains. This paper analyses the opportunities and limitations of the social and solidarity economy in this transformation. Using the multi-level perspective on change as a framework and a methodology that combines an innovative collaborative workshop with 54 stakeholders in the Spanish context with interviews with leaders of care cooperatives in Honduras, Uruguay and Spain, transformative strategies for revaluing these essential services and addressing the structural challenges they face are identified.