The multi-level perspective on sustainability transitions: Responses to seven criticisms

Abstract

The multi-level perspective (MLP) has emerged as a fruitful middle-range framework for analysing socio-technical transitions to sustainability. The MLP also received constructive criticisms. This paper summarises seven criticisms, formulates responses to them, and translates these into suggestions for future research. The criticisms relate to: (1) lack of agency, (2) operationalization of regimes, (3) bias towards bottom-up change models, (4) epistemology and explanatory style, (5) methodology, (6) socio-technical landscape as residual category, and (7) flat ontologies versus hierarchical levels.

The geography of sustainability transitions: Review, synthesis and reflections on an emergent research field

“…A similar observation can be made for regime-niche relations and interactions. At the same time, it should be acknowledged that the sustainability transitions literature at large has been infatuated with a 'bottom-up' approach to transitions that have primarily considered niche-based processes that lead to regime change (Berkhout et al 2004;Geels 2011) even though recent theoretical developments increasingly stress the need to directly address the various dimensions of the sociotechnical regime (Geels 2014). This would require unpacking the various dimensions and assessing their internal alignment.…”

“…global production networks or donor interventions, and their ability to influence transition processes in the receiving countries (Angel and Rock 2009;Berkhout et al 2009;2011;Hansen and Nygaard 2013;Schmidt and Dabur 2014). Also, work focusing on the governance of sustainability transitions have paid particular attention to interaction between decision makers at various scales, and the importance of global relations for local transition processes (Coutard and Rutherford 2010;Marvin 2009, 2010;Späth and Rohracher 2012).…”

Mapping urban agriculture in Portugal: Lessons from practice and their relevance for European post-crisis contexts

“…They are different from most emerging creative industries as they have quite a strong social and environment commitment, grounded in fair prices for producers and consumers; food waste reduction (Fruta Feia); healthy food at fair price (Biovivos); market opportunities for undervalued commercial species (Cabaz do Peixe) and job creation in peri-urban areas (PROVE). Although they represent a niche (Geels, 2011), what is remarkable and interesting from a research and theoretical perspective is that such initiatives are paving the way for UA to shift from an answer to the effects of the crisis in Southern European countries, towards a fully-fledged sector for a sustainable and just local development, making creative use of social networks and ICTs, already highlighted in the early 1990s by Jac Smith (Levenston, 2010). In summary such initiatives can contribute to establish positive bridges to research and exchange on how public policies could contribute to building better and longer-term food systems in Europe.…”

“…This paper maps out and analyses a significant sample of Portuguese UA initiatives, based on a set of 29 cases selected by key stakeholders from national associations, academia, municipalities, local champions, and gardeners with a long involvement in food issues. Multi-level perspective theory (Geels, 2011) helps to explain what is currently happening in Portugal. On the one hand, the 'regime', which refers to the dominant mind-set of UA practice, promotes large projects of allotment gardens, but on the other hand there are young social entrepreneurs using innovative means to address societal challenges, including mass unemployment and the failure of the welfare state.…”

Wicked Leadership Competencies for Sustainability Professionals: Definition, Pedagogy, and Assessment

“…Nonetheless, coordination must occur across these different scales of political, economic, and ecological units, crossing boundaries of space, time, culture, and politics as solutions emerge, falter, and/or scale. 15 Collaborative. Sustainability challenges require the exceedingly difficult and stressful work of collaboration among people who have different assumptions, values, cultures, disciplines, and organizational obligations.…”