Socio-technical Transition Theory Research Articles

Strategic Pathways to Alternative Marine Fuels: Empirical Evidence from Shipping Practices in South Korea

This study investigates the transition to a sustainable shipping industry within the framework of the IMO’s 2050 carbon neutrality objective, focusing on sociotechnical systems analysis. This research delves into the sustainable paradigm shift towards alternative marine fuels, such as LNG, methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen, from a sociotechnical transition perspective, analyzing the multilevel perspective challenges and opportunities. Specifically, it scrutinizes the implications of adopting these alternative fuels for global shipping, identifying technical uncertainties, financial constraints, and infrastructure needs. Through a comprehensive review of the existing literature on ship emissions and alternative fuels, coupled with sociotechnical transition theory, this study addresses the multifaceted challenges and opportunities in meeting the IMO’s environmental objectives. It emphasizes the necessity of collaborative governance, innovative niche strategies, and a holistic approach to leverage the current window of opportunity in facilitating the maritime industry’s transition to sustainable fuel options. Finally, this research enhances our understanding of the intricate interplay between technological, social, industrial, and cultural dynamics in the greening of shipping, and offers insights into the strategic adoption of environmentally friendly marine fuels for a sustainable future.

Innovations, strategic organizational actions, and sailing-ship effect: illustrated with an IT product

Purpose In socio-technical transition theory, resistance by existing technology and regime resistance plays a key role. The resistance is in the form of intentional improvements; eventually, the regime destabilizes and adopts the new technology, referred to as the sailing-ship effect. Researchers used a structural view and examined it as a strategic action and its relationship with new technology (competitive/symbiotic) in non-fast-changing sailing systems. This study uses a microlevel view and examines it in a fast-changing where products/services are developed by integrating existing technology with new product innovations; their success depends on addressing technical/market uncertainty. This study examines the sailing-ship effect in a fast-changing system and contributes to the socio-technical transition theory. Design/methodology/approach The authors need to examine the phenomena of the sailing-ship effect in its setting, and a case-study method is appropriate. The selected case provided diverse analytic and heuristic perspectives to examine the phenomena; therefore, it was a single case study. Findings In an IT scenario, the strategic actions decide and realize agility and competitive advantage by formulating appropriate goals with required budgets and coevolutionary changes to resources at product, process and organizational levels, addressing technical/market uncertainty. Moreover, the agility displayed by strategic actions determines the relationship with new technology, which is interspersed. Finally, it provided insights into struggle, navigation and negotiations, forming strategic actions to display the sailing-ship effect. Research limitations/implications The study selected a Banking Financial Services and Insurance product of an IT Services company. As start-ups exhibit inherent (emergent) agility, the authors can examine agility as a combination of emergent and strategic actions by selecting a start-up. Practical implications The study highlights the strategic actions specific to an IT services company. It developed its product and services by steering clear from IT innovations such as native cloud and continuous deployment. It improved its products/services with necessary organizational changes and achieved the desired agility and competitive advantage. Therefore, organizations devise appropriate strategic actions to combat the sailing-ship effect apart from setting goals and selecting IT innovations. Originality/value The study expands the socio-technical transition theory by selecting a fast-changing system. It provided insights into the relationship between existing and new technology and the strategic actions necessary to manage technical and market uncertainty and achieve the desired competitive advantage, or the sailing-ship effect.

Functional view and technological progress of a sociotechnical system: illustrated with an interventionist state

Purpose Organizations use innovations and respond to external pressures, creating a transition to the sociotechnical system. In their transitions, they interact with the environment and undergo adaptation-selection. The extant literature used a multilevel perspective (MLP) with a structural view and examined dynamics and transitions (phenomena) in a noninterventionistic setting. This study aims to examine the dynamics and phenomena with a microstructural or functional view and expand the MLP; this paper uses neo-institutionalism and human values as part of the functional view. Moreover, when the authors examine the phenomena in an interventionistic setting, they can obtain certain unique dynamics and their influence on the phenomena. Design/methodology/approach The authors need to examine the phenomena in its setting, so this paper selected a case study, Indian electricity generation. For diverse heuristic and analytic views, it selected two Indian states. Findings The findings from the functional view showed that organizations exhibit certain traits of neo-institutionalism and human values, which mediate their responses (behavior) to external pressures. Additionally, due to the interventionist state, their dynamics use shaping instead of selection logic for innovations, which decides the transition pathway selection (technology adoption). It further decided the extent to which innovations cumulate as stable designs. As a result, the responses and the transition provide benefits in the short term while invariably failing in the long term. Research limitations/implications By selecting cases with higher investments in renewable energies and combustible fuels, the authors can expand the functional view to include user typologies such as producers, intermediaries and citizen groups and obtain further insights into transitions. Practical implications The study highlights the generation dynamics specific to Indian electricity generation and its transition pathways. The study’s outcome provides insights to researchers and practitioners in formulating policy changes and transforming electricity generation. Originality/value The study uses a functional view comprising neo-institutionalism and human values and expands the sociotechnical transition theory. In addition, selecting an interventionist setting provided insights into dynamics specific to organizational behavior and associated services. Finally, the obtained insights offer suggestions for technology development to better manage transitions with adaptation-selection.

Carbon Emissions in Transportation: A Synthesis Framework

With the growing concern worldwide regarding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their impacts on human health and the environment, transportation has become a central theme in their mitigation, responsible for 15% of anthropogenic GHG, 23% of global energy-related, and 8.7 Gt CO2-eq emissions. This study’s objective was to comprehensively review the current state of carbon mitigation in the transportation sector. This was conducted through a systematic literature review based on the multi-level perspective of socio-technical transition theory and structural contingency theory. In total, 30 review papers covering 3561 original articles were selected for full-text examination. The main findings were related to the fact that in order to build resilience against climate change, transportation services must adapt to the current scenario and act quickly to avert future changes. Enablers, barriers, benefits, disadvantages, and metrics in carbon emission reduction were identified. A comprehensive framework and a dynamic co-word analysis emphasised the interrelationships among the dimensions of sustainability transition in transportation. Important trade-offs among the transition dimensions are context-dependent and should be adapted to different countries and transport modes to succeed. The study sheds light on the need to investigate mitigation’s often-neglected consequences and disadvantages.

Circular economy 4 business: A program and framework for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) with three case studies

To address a gap in empirical evidence, this article provides case studies of three SMEs implementing circular business models through a training program. It highlights lessons for both policy makers and training providers to support uptake of CE practices in SMEs. Governments and companies increasingly recognise the importance of a circular economy to address environmental problems, maximise the value of materials used in production-consumption cycles, and eliminate waste. This article draws attention to the role that small to medium enterprises (SMEs) play in developing niche innovations to advance the circular transition, and provides insights on how SMEs can be enabled through supportive government programs and policies. We first describe the design and outcomes of a government-funded training and pilot program, ‘Circular Economy 4 Business’ that was trialled in Queensland, Australia in 2020–21. Using data obtained during the program, we provide three case studies of circular business models employed by three participating SMEs to improve circularity for important resource types (organics, textiles, packaging, and construction materials) as well as the main successes and opportunities, challenges, and barriers each business encountered. Drawing upon the multi-level perspective of sustainable socio-technical transitions theory, we examine the interdependency of cultural, market, and policy factors to highlight how governments can provide conditions that foster enable niche innovations to scale and displace established linear regimes. The significance of this study builds on the limited empirical evidence of circular business model implementation at the level of SMEs and details a novel and practical training and support program that can guide future design of circular economy programs tailored specifically for SMEs.

China’s Biogas Industry’s Sustainable Transition to a Low-Carbon Plan—A Socio-Technical Perspective

China’s biogas industry has experienced ups and downs over the past two decades, with various challenges pointing to misplaced expectations that biogas technology is overly focused on energy production. With the promotion of China’s low-carbon strategy, a more rational and sustainable transformation strategy is crucial for the development of the biogas industry. To elucidate the sustainable development process of the biogas industry, this study applies the socio-technical transition theory and the strategic niche management (SNM) approach to understand the multi-regime interactions of biogas systems and their possible future paths. At present, the Chinese biogas industry needs to abandon the expectation of energy recovery and establish the expectation of multi-functional combination, especially including nutrient cycling. This study proposes a sustainable transformation path for the biogas industry and predicts three phases based on the type of socio-technological transformation path: a transformation path to 2030 to promote niche innovation and develop core technologies; a reconfiguration path from 2030 to 2050, which will require a lot of trials and errors; and the expansion of market share in 2050 through technology replacement. This study highlights the importance of niche experimentations and broad advocacy coalitions for the biogas industry. This research also illustrates how the transformation of China’s biogas industry can be achieved through incremental innovation with consistent policy support.

Where will China's shale gas industry go? A scenario analysis of socio-technical transition

The successful development of shale gas industry in China has a significant impact on China's energy consumption structure and the world energy market. Based on the socio-technical transition theory, this study defines the development of shale gas industry as the socio-technical system transition of natural gas driven by technological innovation and management innovation. From the multi-level perspective, this study systematically analyzes the co-evolution dynamics of multiple factors in the development of shale gas industry, and further proposes the socio-technical scenarios of shale gas industry development by using the socio-technical scenarios method. The results show that the shale gas industry generally has a relatively favorable development environment, but it also faces many challenges, such as lack of internal capacity and government support. And the “Government led development”, “Diversified development”, “Green development” and “High cost development” are the four potential development paths for China's shale gas industry.

Disrupting Design: A Multi‐level Technological Transition Study of Dribbble.com

AbstractAs social media continues to integrate into people’s everyday lives, it provides a space for people to present their work and connect with others. This study seeks to understand how Dribbble.com, a site created in 2009 for visual designers to showcase their work, plays a role in the transformation of the visual design industry and design education. We use sociotechnical transitions theory to interpret 30 semi‐structured interviews with active Dribbble users. We find that the niche site Dribbble, along with the constellation of sites around it, are changing design regimes (the ways work gets done). Our Dribbble users report that the site changes how they develop and maintain their skills, find inspiration to solve design problems, keep up with trends, network with peers, produce and promote their portfolios and find jobs. However, the site also presents some challenges. For example, our interviewees indicate that they no longer receive constructive feedback on the platform. These emerging regimes are competing with, and coexisting with, existing design regimes. Our work contributes to social media studies by looking at under‐studied niche sites, like Dribbble, and how sites in the design space may be impacting the wider society.

Multi-level perspective for the development and diffusion of fuel cell heavy-duty trucks

The diffusion of fuel cell heavy-duty trucks (FC-HDTs) has the potential to transform the logistics sector, making it more sustainable. However, in-depth studies of this technology remain scarce. The fundamental industry transition affects several stakeholders, from vehicle manufacturers and hydrogen suppliers to end-user logistics firms and policymakers/associations. The creation of enabling conditions and the reduction of barriers must be ensured for a successful adoption. In this study, which applies socio-technical transition theory and the multi-level perspective approach, expert interviews were conducted. The objective of the study is to investigate what factors influence the adaptation of FC-HDTs and what stakeholders expect from each other to leverage these factors. The results and discussion lead to the presentation of the development and diffusion framework of FC-HDTs. This study shows that the elimination of infrastructure barriers is particularly important. Furthermore, to accelerate the transition of FC-HDTs from a niche innovation to a dominant technology there is a need for greater industry-government collaboration. Here, also more efforts must be made to ensure that the technology meets the requirements of logistics firms.

Doing business model innovation for sustainability transitions — Bringing in strategic foresight and human centred design

This paper brings together socio-technical transitions theory with strategic foresight and human centred design. The aim is to bring in new methods for analysing the business model element of sustainability transitions. We propose a process for doing business model innovation work. Business models have become a key area of focus, particularly in the energy sector. Recent work shows how the development of new business models co-evolves with elements of the energy system, either driving technological innovation, changing user practices or placing pressure on the institutional or policy regime. At the same time, there is no recognised process for business model research aimed at transition management. It is time therefore to propose a more formalised and theoretically grounded approach to business model innovation work. We use this contribution to synthesise the lessons of a four-year research project centred on energy utility business models with industrial, commercial and government stakeholders. We describe the process adopted, and insights this process generated. We seek to establish this process in the literature, invite others to utilise it, adapt it and critique it.

Connecting the multi-level-perspective and social practice approach for sustainable transitions

The increasing sense of urgency to transition to sustainable modes of consumption and production requires an understanding of social problem framings and processes of change. We examine how two conceptual frameworks, the Multi-level Perspective (MLP), a socio-technical transition theory, and Social Practice Approaches (SPA), contribute to understanding opportunities for social change. We share the results of a systematic literature review that seeks a better understanding of how these two approaches are co-employed. We first present quantifiable results from an analysis of 118 publications; we then focus on a qualitative analysis to investigate conceptual complementarities while recognizing their ontological differences. We find further entry points where the two approaches can be fruitfully combined, such as the study of vulnerable proto-practices, research on informal regimes, and the development of landscape- and supra-practice-level meanings. We conclude with recommendations on how to further operationalize the co-employment of MLP and SPA in sustainability transition studies.

Towards systemic solutions to food waste: Creative destabilisation and escaping food waste lock-in

This paper identifies and evaluates interventions for addressing the structural conditions in food systems that contribute to food waste. Within the food waste literature, an emerging strand of research is focusing on how food waste has structural causes that are embedded within the fundamental characteristics of food supply chains. This paper draws upon empirical research examining the causes of food waste in the Australian horticulture industry as a context from which to advance understandings of how to dismantle mechanisms of waste creation inherent in food systems. Identifying appropriate interventions to alter the dynamics of food waste production is an important part of addressing food waste as a structural issue, yet such interventions are subject to system resistance to transforming the normal operation of incumbent food systems. Guided by socio-technical transitions theory, this paper investigates ways to increase regime pressure to overcome systemic resistance through the frames of “creative regime destabilisation” and “alternative niche support”. A theoretical integration of socio-technical transitions with systems thinking provides deeper insights into the transformative potential of diverse interventions through the identification of ‘deep leveraging points’, proposing a tangible transition agenda for industry, policy and research.

A framework for assessing social acceptability of industry 4.0 technologies for the development of digital manufacturing

The manufacturing sector has undergone a significant transformation using revolutionary Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies that have profoundly changed production processes and operations. To unlock the digitalization of sustainable production systems, manufacturing organizations are keen to adopt digital technologies to enhance performance. This paper analyses the social acceptability dimensions of I4.0 in the context of digital manufacturing (DM) and proposes a novel framework. The dimensions were identified through an extensive literature review. A data set of 121 responses was collected from different Indian manufacturing units and exploratory factor analysis was employed with dimensions structured into seven categories - safety, psychological, behavioural, compliance, cultural, employee and market. To develop inter-relationships amongst the main dimensions, a fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory technique was utilized. Based on the priority order, 'security breaches' is the most significant dimension, followed by 'data theft'. The study contributes to both the theory of socio-technical transition (TSTT) and social cognition theory (SCT) by describing the impact of I4.0 technologies on social and personal behaviour. The study findings make significant contributions to both the practical and managerial perspectives of I4.0 technologies for the growth of DM. This paper provides fruitful insights for decision-makers and industry practitioners to develop a DM environment.

The transition of a socio-technical system to a smart grid: illustrated with the Indian electricity network

PurposeThis paper aims to explain transitions in a socio-technical system characterized by non-economic entities that influence economic activity, i.e. embeddedness and coalitions. The selected socio-technical system is an Indian electric network with an interventionist policy. Its embeddedness and coalitions drive the transition. The insights from such analysis expand socio-technical transition theory and provide valuable insights to practitioners in their policymaking.Design/methodology/approachThe authors need to observe the effects of non-economic institutions in their setting. Moreover, in India, the regional policies influence decision-making; therefore, selected two Indian states. The two Indian states, along with their non-economic entities, provided diverse analytic and heuristic views.FindingsThe findings show that coalitions, with their embeddedness in the absence of any mediating policy systems, act as external pressures and influence innovation and the socio-technical system’s transition trajectory. Their coalitions’ embeddedness follows a shaping, not selection logic. Thereby influence innovations in cumulating as stable designs. Such an approach provides benefits in the short-term but not in the long-term.Research limitations/implicationsThe study selected two states and examined two of the four trajectories. By considering other states, the authors can obtain more renewable energy investments and further insights into the transformational trajectory.Practical implicationsThe study highlights the coalition dynamics specific to the Indian electric power network and its transition trajectories. The non-economic entities influenced transition trajectories, innovation and policymaking of the socio-technical system.Originality/valueThe study expands the socio-technical transition theory by including embeddedness. The embeddedness brings a shaping logic instead of a selection logic.

Developing System-Oriented Interventions and Policies to Reduce Car Dependency for Improved Population Health in Belfast: Study Protocol

Reducing car dependency requires orchestrated multi-sectoral, multi-policy action in a complex landscape. Thus, development of proposed interventions to reduce car dependency should be informed by systems thinking, complexity science, and socio-technical transition theory. We aim to co-design sustainable systems-oriented intervention approaches to reduce car dependency in Belfast. The study includes seven integrated tasks—1: Map stakeholders and partnerships influencing car dependency using stakeholder network analysis; 2: A review of systematic reviews regarding interventions to reduce car dependency; 3: Map-related policies via analysis of policy documents and semi-structured interviews; 4: A participatory group model building workshop to co-produce a shared understanding of the complex system perpetuating car dependency and a transition vision; 5: Using Discrete Choice Experiments, survey road users to evaluate the importance of transport infrastructure attributes on car dependency and on alternative modes of travel; 6: Citizen juries will ‘sense-check’ possible actions; and, 7: Stakeholders will interpret the findings, plan orchestrated multi-sectoral action, and agree on ways to sustain collaborations towards the common vision of reducing car dependency. We expect to attain a systemic view of the car dependency issue, potential intervention approaches to reduce it, and a framework for their integration through the co-ordination of stakeholder actions.

A marriage of convenience or necessity? Research and policy implications for electrifying upstream petroleum production systems with renewables

There is an attempt by conventional oil and gas companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through sustainability practices to maintain a position of relevance in a low-carbon energy future. One of such measures is the idea of upstream energy integration (or field electrification), yet emerging and in its nascency. The concept of energy integration is to electrify upstream petroleum production operations through renewables to reduce carbon intensity and mitigate process emissions. While this seems promising, its dynamics and wider ramifications remain unexplored in the scholarly literature. Drawing on the socio-technical transition theory and adopting a qualitative approach to energy systems analysis, this perspective type piece identifies and discusses the implications of the emerging trend of upstream energy integration. The analysis proceeds with three thematic parallels and five central motifs that potentially set research and policy framing agendas to complement existing energy governance frameworks. These include Process energy needs, Resources and materials sourcing, Embodied energy implications, Scalar deployment costing and Temporal dynamics for transition (the PREST framework).

A socio-technical transition path for new energy vehicles in China: A multi-level perspective

The transport sector is a key emitter of greenhouse gasses. We applied socio-technical transition theory and the multi-level perspective (MLP) approach to depict the interplay of three MLP layers (niche, regime, and landscape) and to project future paths for the transition from traditional (fossil fuel) vehicles to new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China. Specifically, the exogenous context nurtures nascent innovations and restrains the development of traditional fuel vehicles; however, the socio-technical system of NEVs is still in the primary stage and cannot meet the needs of consumers. Under double pressures, the socio-technical system of traditional vehicles is generally stable, but there are factors that impinge on this stability. Four phases are identified according to national plans: the initial pre-development phase (2001–2011) protects nascent innovations; core technologies are developed and market share is expanded in the take-off phase (2012–2020); the acceleration phase (2021–2035) strengthens the trend by encouraging key technological breakthroughs, infrastructure construction, and international cooperation; and the last sprint phase (2036–) further develops the low-carbon transition in China's automobile industry. We also illustrate the essential role of government in the Chinese context. Policy implications related to electric power, technological innovation, and industrial coordination are discussed.

Interpretative flexibility and conflicts in the emergence of Mobility as a Service: Finnish public sector actor perspectives

Mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) is still largely under development, with high uncertainties of its societal implications. This development is happening across sectoral, multi-layered, and multi-actor networks. Previous case studies on understanding networked governance of MaaS inform us that there is a range of challenges in the current institutional arrangements, lack of shared MaaS vision, divergent interests, and even conflicts over roles and responsibilities. These case studies have used analytical frameworks based on socio-technical transitions theory, complemented with theories from institutional and business studies. This study focuses on Finland, aiming to provide additional insights about perspectives of non-commercial actors. In particular, we provide a more sophisticated understanding of underlying reasons for conflict and lack of cooperation concerning an understanding of MaaS, its implications, and associated governance actions. The applied analytical framework is building upon concepts from the philosophy and sociology of emerging technology, as well as the contemporary political theory of Chantal Mouffe. Interview findings from seventeen non-commercial organisations have been classified into five categories, namely definitions, operational and business aspects, user perspectives, systemic effects, and governance. Discussion of these interview findings focuses on the interpretative flexibility of MaaS and governance processes in the context of inherent conflict in the value-laden mobility domain. The paper concludes with outlining directions for further synthesis in developing analytical frameworks for studies of governance and responsible innovation in the domain of emerging mobility technologies.

The role of social identity in institutional work for sociotechnical transitions: The case of transport infrastructure in Berlin

Generally, sociotechnical change requires that agency is exercised across multiple, connected levels or contexts. Yet there is very little work in the sociotechnical sustainability transitions literature that theorises these connections in ways that acknowledge the individual-level processes involved. Here we show how identity theory can connect macro- and micro-levels of analysis, with identity construction being a social psychological process that is also involved in institutional work. For empirical illustration we use the case of emerging mobility transitions in Berlin, Germany, in particular aspects of institutional work for infrastructural change in favor of cycling. The study shows how the construction of a common identity among varied actor groups has been key to a citizen campaign for safe cycling infrastructure. The construction of a socially inclusive identity relating to cycling has been made possible by prioritizing the development of a campaign network comprised of weak ties among stakeholders, rather than a closer-knit network based on a more exclusive group of sporty cyclists. The findings are discussed in the light of both social psychological models and sociotechnical transitions theory. The implications for scaling niche practices for sustainability are considered.

Shadowcasting tourism knowledge through media: Self-driving sex cars?

Tourism is central to late-modern life, and tourism research that threatens this centrality is prone to media attention. Framed by sociotechnical transitions theory, we introduce the concept of ‘shadowcasting’ to show how tourism knowledge disseminated through the media, combined with public comments on its reporting, cast shadows that co-constitute imagined futures. We illustrate shadowcasting through a mixed method approach that demonstrates how media reporting and public comments on a recent paper on autonomous vehicles in tourism emerged and diverged from the original paper. Our findings reveal that issues around sex and terrorism were sensationalised, generating diverse public discourses that challenge linear visions of future transport efficiency. Our concluding discussion indicates other tourism research contexts that are most inclined to shadowcasting.