Participative Modelling of Socio‐Technical Transitions: Why and How Should We Look Beyond the Case‐Specific Energy Transition Challenge?

Abstract

Participative modelling (PM) is a promising approach to mutual learning about causal mechanisms and dynamics in socio‐technical transitions. However, case‐specific PM initiatives often fail to generate insights that inform related cases. We address this methodical limitation in a case study on the Swiss energy transition. The central question is as follows: How can a PM workshop series be designed to create insights that go beyond the single socio‐technical transition case? Based on theorizing literature, we develop a process framework for generic PM based on system dynamics modelling and socio‐technical transition frameworks. The framework differentiates the steps in theorizing and explains how to integrate different levels of theorizing into the PM process. We illustrate how we applied the framework in our PM workshop series. Our experiences show that workshop participants employ various conceptual tools (e.g. socio‐technical frameworks or causal loop diagrams) to classify and clarify their own experience in general terms. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Participatory system dynamics modelling for housing, energy and wellbeing interactions

“…that serve as building blocks for a workshop, including action and responsibility plans. Stakeholders have been involved in participatory SD studies on topics of energy transitions (de Gooyert, Rouwette, van Kranenburg, Freeman, & van Breen, 2016;Ulli-Beer et al, 2017), city resilience (Xing, Lannon, & Eames, 2014), residential energy efficiency (Elias, 2008), and social housing market dynamics (Eskinasi et al, 2009).…”

The Contribution of Theory and Experience to Generic Meaning‐making: A Reflection on Participatory System Dynamics Modelling

“…Ulli‐Beer et al . () develop a generic participatory modelling process framework that combines participatory work with the traditional research process. Their framework can be divided into the introduction of a theoretical perspective, modelling and participatory work.…”

“…The paper by Ulli‐Beer et al . () examines how participatory modelling can create generic insights beyond a specific case. Their ambitious inquiry describes a process for generating generic knowledge among a diverse group of stakeholders who possess rich experience.…”

“…It uses social theories on insight and learning as overarching perspectives to explore the generic participatory modelling process framework of Ulli‐Beer et al . (), to theoretically ground their framework and to understand how participants develop generic knowledge. I will proceed by, firstly, investigating the steps of the generic framework of Ulli‐Beer et al .…”

“…I will proceed by, firstly, investigating the steps of the generic framework of Ulli‐Beer et al . () and dividing the framework into three elements: a theoretical perspective, modelling and participatory work. Secondly, I will examine relationships between generic knowledge and the experiential knowledge that participants bring to a workshop, and I will reflect on what it means to introduce a theoretical perspective.…”