How Much Does Economic Crisis Affect Sustainability Transitions? A Social Network Analysis of the Italian Biofuel Sector
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17059/2015-1-23Keywords:
economic crisis, sociotechnical transitions, sustainability, social networks analysis, biofuelAbstract
The present paper investigates the impact of he current economic crisis on the process of sustainability transitions by exploring the case of a green niche, namely the biofuel sector. From a methodological point of view, we employ a social network analysis aimed at comparing the Italian biofuel niche in two different time periods, specifically before and during the crisis. Our findings provide evidence that biofuel actors are responding to the economic crisis by raising the degree of their knowledge exchange. At the same time, they are exhibiting a general scepticism about the future development of the niche, showing a lower level of expectations compared to that of 2007 (i.e. before the crisis). These results suggest that the economic crisis is concretely hindering the transition towards a biofuel-based regime by affecting the degree of maturity of the niche.References
Antal M. van den Bergh J.C.J.M. (2013). Macroeconomics, the financial crisis and the environment: strategies for a sustainability transition. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 6.
Berkhout F., Smith A. & A. Stirling; Elzen B., Geels F.W. & Green K. (Eds.) (2004). Socio-technological regimes and transition contexts. System Innovation and the Transition to Sustainability, Theory, Evidence and Policy. Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, UK
Geels F. W (2002). Technological transitions as evolutionary reconfiguration processes: multi-level perspective and a case study. Research Policy, (31), 1257-1274.
Geels F. W & Schot J. (2007). Typology of transition pathways. Research Policy, 36, 399-417.
Geels F. (2013). The impact of the financial-economic crisis on sustainability transitions: investment, governance and public discourse. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 6.
Kemp R. & Rip A. (1998). Technological change. In: Rayner, S., Malone, E. L. (Eds.), Human Choice and Climate Change, (Vol. 2). Battelle Press, Columbus, 327-399.
Kemp R., Schot J. & Hoogma R. (1998). Regime Shifts to Sustainability through Processes of Niche Formation. The Approach of Strategic Niche Management. Technology Analysis and Strategic Management, 10(2),175-195.
Loorbach D. A. & Lijnis Huffenreuter, R. (2013). Exploring the economic crisis from a transition management perspective. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 6, 35-46.
Lopolito A., Morone P., & Sisto R. (2011). Innovation niches and socio-technical transition: A case study of bio-refinery production. Futures, 43(1), 24-38.
Mitchell J. C.; Mitchell J. C. (Ed.) (1969). The Concept and Use of Social Network. Locial Networks in Urban Situations. Manchester University Press, Manchester.
Morone, P., Tartiu V. E. & Falcone P. M. (2014). Assessing the potential of biowaste for bioplastics production through Social Network Analysis. Journal of Cleaner Production. Available online 5 December 2014.
Raven R. (2006). Niche accumulation and hybridization strategies in transition processes towards a sustainable energy system: an assessment of differences and pitfalls. Energy Policy, 35, 2390-2400.
Rip A. & Kemp R.; Rayner, S. & Malone L. (Eds.) (1998). Technological Change. Human Choice and Climate Change, (Vol. 2), Resources and Technology, Batelle Press, Washington D.C., 327-399.
Scott J. (1991), Social Network Analysis, A Handbook, London: Saga.
Van Bree B., Verbong G.P.J., & Kramer G.J. (2010). A multi-level perspective on the introduction of hydrogen and battery-electric vehicles. Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 77(4), 529-540.
Wasserman S. & Faust K. (1994). Social Network Analysis. Methods and Applications. Cambridge University Press.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2015 Pasquale M. Falcone, Edgardo Sica
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
