Abstract
This study explored the influence of regime actors to shape the directionality of sustainability transitions. Sustainability transitions are not only limited to system design and development but an interaction of incumbent actors and path-dependent mechanisms. Policymakers may develop a strategy to steer the application of sociotechnical innovation but are faced with directionality challenges if they are explicitly focused on linear transitions. We conducted face-to-face interviews with 26 policy and technical experts to explore this concept. We base the analysis of this study on the actor's perspective, vested values, and interest to provide a basis to inform the future of sustainability transitions in South Africa. The results of the study presented divergent transition patterns across the dominant actors, creating choices for alternative pathways. The study also found considerable ambivalence about shale gas development bordering on the suitability of shale energy to facilitate the South African energy transition. This study improved our understanding of how varied interests and values of actors can present significant challenges to sustainability transitions and shapes the prospect of sociotechnical innovations.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 103068 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Energy Research and Social Science |
| Volume | 99 |
| Early online date | 4 Apr 2023 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 May 2023 |
Bibliographical note
© 2023, Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Copyright © and Moral Rights are retained by the author(s) and/ or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This item cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder(s). The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders.
This document is the author’s post-print version, incorporating any revisions agreed during the peer-review process. Some differences between the published version and this version may remain and you are advised to consult the published version if you wish to cite from it.
Keywords
- Directionality
- Sustainability transitions
- Regime actors
- Sociotechnical innovation
- shale gas development
