Projectdetails

Transitions are societal transformations in which society or a complex subsystem structurally changes in continuous, gradual way. Transitions are the result of a dynamic interplay among multiple factors, which mutually shape each other but at the same time have their own trajectory of development. Technological transitions (TT) - transitions in which technical change is a prominent element - may offer sustainability benefits and are therefore interesting for public policy.

The programme aims to synthesize and deepen our understanding of technological transitions through the development of a database of 15 transitions and a detailed study of the ongoing transition in waste management. The following major research questions serve as a guideline for our research project:

Ø Are the transition phases used in the literature (see overall programme description) adequate, and can they be clearly identified (e.g. market shares, particular actors, particular activities)?

Ø To what extent were TT foreseen, expected and intentionally managed, and if so, at which phase? What was the role of widely shared expectations?

Ø Are there common strategic behavioural patterns of the actors involved, and, if so, how did these strategies interact and co-evolve over time?

Ø What was the relationship between incremental innovation and TT? Was incremental change in the incumbent regime merely a defense to new technologies ('sailing ship effect')? Or did incremental change provide oppurtunities for further change ('stepping stone dynamic')?

Ø Does the interplay of technical change and institutional change differ in different transitions and in various phases of a particular transition? Does technical change lead/precede institutional change or is it the other way round?

Ø What was the role of public authorities (in different phases)? What do the transitions tell about the proper role of public authorities and public policy in various transition stages? More specifically, what does transition management look like for waste management?

Artikelen

• Prof. dr. ir. F.W. Geels (2003). Een lange-termijn analyse van innovativiteit in de rijkswegen in de 20e eeuw. Tijdschrift Vervoerswetenschap. pp. 
• Drs. R.A.T. de Kemp (2003). Managing Sociotechnical Transitions Through Transition Management. . pp. 
• Drs. R.A.T. de Kemp, Drs. Loorbach (2003). Governance for Sustainability Through Transition Management . . pp. 
• Prof. dr. ir. F.W. Geels (2003). Processes, patterns and mechanisms in system innovations: A co-evolutionary and sociotechnical perspective. . pp. 
• Prof. dr. ir. F.W. Geels (2003). The dynamics of socio-technical systems, regimes and actors: A sociological conceptualization. . pp.