Intermediaries in accelerating transitions: Introduction to the special issue

Paula Kivimaa*, Anna Bergek, Kaisa Matschoss, Harro van Lente

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalEditorialAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Sociotechnical transitions are complex processes that imply far-reaching technological, institutional and cultural changes. Transition intermediaries have emerged as potentially powerful actors and entities to speed up transitions. As much previous literature on intermediaries in transitions has focused on emergence, in this special issue, we focus on intermediaries in the acceleration phase of transitions. The contributions address different domains, with specific focus on different parts of the energy production and consumption system. The contributions cover three themes: intermediary actors in the diffusion of new solutions, in policy change, and systemic intermediaries. We end by making three observations regarding intermediation in the acceleration of sustainability transitions: new types of stakeholders coming into transition processes requiring new forms of intermediation; contestation and tensions becoming stronger, creating new challenges for intermediaries, and; potential confusion within intermediary actors.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)372-377
Number of pages6
JournalEnvironmental innovation and societal transitions
Volume36
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2020

Keywords

  • Sustainability transitions
  • Intermedialy actors
  • Energy
  • Acceleration
  • Diffusion
  • DIFFUSION
  • TYPOLOGY

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