Discursive dynamics and lock-ins in socio-technical systems: an overview and a way forward

Abstract

Understanding the dynamics of stability and change is key to accelerate sustainability transitions. This paper aims to advance and inspire sustainability transition research on this matter by collecting insights from interpretative environmental discourse literature. We develop a heuristic that identifies and describes core discursive elements and dynamics in a socio-technical system. In doing so, we show how the interplay of meta-, institutionalized, and alternative discourses, dominant, marginal, and radical narratives, as well as weak and strong discursive agency influence the socio-technical configuration. The heuristic suggests three discursive lock-ins reinforcing the stabilization of socio-technical systems: unchallenged values and assumptions, incumbents’ discursive agency, and narrative co-optation. Furthermore, it explores three pathways of discursive change: disruptive, dynamic and cross-sectoral. Overall, this paper puts forward a discursive perspective on sustainability transitions. It offers additional analytical approaches and concepts for discursive transition studies, elaborated insights on the dynamics within and between the analytical dimensions of a socio-technical system, as well as a theoretical baseline for analyzing discursive lock-in mechanisms and pathways of discursive change.

Lessons, narratives, and research directions for a sustainable circular economy

“…Competing but complementary approaches need to be critically assessed and integrated, as some focus on single products, materials, and business models, whereas others assess the entire economy and its relation to (global) environmental goals and strategies (Haas et al., 2020; Saidani et al., 2019). It also calls for the identification of societal and political strategies that ensure an adequate distribution of costs and benefits in society as suggested by Hobson (2021) and Simoens and Leipold (2022) among others, taking geographical and cultural differences into account (Deutz & Lyons, 2015). Reflect on the role of science in supporting CE development .…”

Rhine low water crisis: From individual adaptation possibilities to strategical pathways

“…Enhancing knowledge on risks, impacts and defining adaptation measures is more and more considered as a necessity (Thornton and Manasfi, 2010;Linnenluecke et al, 2012;Settele et al, 2014;IPCC, 2022). However socio-technical systems on which are organized economic activities like the inland waterway transport are embedded into different kind of lock-ins, which can prevent/slow down the implementation of coping measures (Winz et al, 2014;Berrang-Ford et al, 2015;Klitkou et al, 2015;Fazey et al, 2016;Burnham et al, 2018;Simoens et al, 2022). Then, adaptation measures differ depending on the sector of human activity and the vulnerability of the stakeholders and their assets (Harries, 2021).…”

Axes of Contestation in Sustainability Transitions

“…Taking sector characteristics into account has implications for how to approach the questions of agency and actor roles in sustainability transitions (Fuenfschilling and Truffer, 2014;Battilana et al, 2009). Agency is embedded within the institutional context of the socio-technical system and its structural characteristics may not only heavily shape the forms, types and modes of agency deployed by actors, but also constitute an important factor enabling actors to act upon their perceived interests and objectives (Fuenfschilling, 2019;Miörner, 2022;Battilana et al, 2009;DiMaggio, 1988;Garud et al, 2002;Simoens et al, 2022). Following previous studies in the transitions literature (Fuenfschilling, 2019;Binz et al, 2016;Duygan et al, 2019;Löhr et al, 2022), we operationalize our interest in agency by focusing on the 'institutional work' of actors (Lawrence and Suddaby, 2006;Lawrence et al, 2011).…”