Kivimaa, Paula, Hyysalo, Sampsa, Boon, Wouter, Klerkx, Laurens, Martiskainen, Mari and Schot, Johan (2019) Passing the baton: how intermediaries advance sustainability transitions in different phases. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 31. pp. 110-125. ISSN 2210-4224

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Abstract

Recently, increasing attention has been paid to intermediaries, actors connecting multiple other actors, in transition processes. Research has highlighted that intermediary actors (e.g. innovation funders, energy agencies, NGOs, membership organisations, or internet discussion forums) operate in many levels to advance transitions. We argue that intermediation, and the need for it, varies during the course of transition. Yet, little explicit insight exists on intermediation in different transition phases. We integrate existing conceptual models on transition dynamics and phases and a typology of transition intermediaries to examine how intermediaries advance transitions in different phases. We illustrate our conceptual insights through examples from car clubs, heat pumps and low-energy housing. We conclude that intermediation is paramount from predevelopment to stabilisation of a transition. Intermediary functions change from supporting experimentation and articulation of needs in predevelopment, to the aggregation of knowledge, pooling resources, network building and stronger institutional support and capacity building in acceleration.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	sustainability transition, intermediaries, intermediation, transition phases, multilevel perspective, change agents
Schools and Departments:	University of Sussex Business School > SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit
Research Centres and Groups:	The Sussex Energy Group
Depositing User:	Mari Martiskainen
Date Deposited:	09 Jan 2019 17:10
Last Modified:	01 Jul 2019 12:45
URI:	http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/81168

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