News

Organisational Structure

The Knowledge Network on System Innovations and Transitions (KSI) exists for some years already. The network has been working for a few years on getting a project financed by the Dutch government in the framework of what is now known as the "BSIK" programme. After more than two years of discussions, new coalitions and re-writing of earlier proposals, the KSI network finally received the green light from the Ministry of Housing, Physical Planning and the Environment (Ministerie van Volkshuisvesting, Ruimtelijke Ordening en Milieu: VROM) by the end of March 2005. For this project the KSI Foundation was established. The foundation is governed by a board consisting of 4 members (see below), led by an independent chair, professor Harry van der Laan.

Ten universities and TNO have started the KSI-project, which consists of more than 20 sub-projects of front-running scientific research on system innovations and transition. The projects are very diverse, from pure theoretical research, to practice oriented action research, in which KSI-members guide diverse transitions processes in society. The research is divided in three domains: I. Historical research, looking at transitions in the past and drawing conclusions and lessons from the past; II. Research focused on system innovations systematically analysing and monitoring current and future transitions patterns, with a special focus on transitions in the mobility and agricultural sector; III. Research focused on the Governance of transitions and system innovations.

Research in domain I is led by professor Johan Schot (Technical University Eindhoven), in domain II by professor Jan Rotmans (Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)), and III by professor John Grin (University of Amsterdam). Together with the business director Marjan Minnesma (EUR), they form the directors of the KSI project.

Confident that the project would be accepted in some stage, most projects already started in 2004 or early 2005, which enabled KSI to make a flying start. Over 50 researchers are already working hard in their sub-projects.

KSI has established formal forms of cooperation with several other organisations, to achieve cross-fertilisation between theory and practice. In the first place KSI cooperates closely with two other BSIK-projects on transitions: Transumo, on transitions in the mobility sector and TransForum, on transitions in the agricultural sector. Secondly, KSI is working together with the Competence Centre on Transitions to make the generated knowledge from KSI available to practitioners in the form of competence kits and training on how to use these. These forms of cooperation guide new research tailored to the demands of different groups in society, and they ensure that society can actually use the newly generated knowledge in the near future.

Science

Project I.1 - Historical Transition Pathways

This project is performed by two post-docs (Frank Geels and Deborah Tappi), working on the cutting edge of three disciplines: sociology of technology, evolutionary economics, and history of technology. The topic of analysis is transitions in socio-technical systems [1]. Many elements are involved in socio-technical system innovations, but it is easy to name them on the basis of the main technologies involved. As theoretical framework the project uses the multi-level perspective [2-5]

Previous studies used the multi-level perspective to emphasise the complexity of transitions. The new step (and main hypothesis) of this project is that there are multiple pathways for system innovations, depending on differences in the number, timing and quality of interactions in the multi-level perspective. As working hypothesis we distinguish five transition pathways: 1) transformation, or accumulation of internal adjustments within the regime, 2) technological substitution, where niche-innovation breaks through and disrupts the regime, 3) de-alignment and re-alignment, when the regime becomes bogged down in problems and de-aligns, multiple niche-innovations emerge and co-exist, and eventually one option becomes dominant, followed by re-alignment and the creation of a new regime, 4) reconfiguration, in case niche-innovations are adopted in the regime, where they trigger further changes, 5) opening up of a new functional domain by a niche-innovation, e.g. aviation in the early 20th century or the Internet.

This hypothesis will be tested and explored with case studies of historical transitions, because this allows the study of entire transitions, from beginning to end. Using secondary sources, the project aims to do 12 case studies in 3 years. So far we have demonstrated 4 pathways. The technological substitution pathway was found in the transition from sailing ships to steamships in British shipping (1840-1890) [6](Geels, 2002), the transition from gaslight to electric light in America (1870-1930) [7] (Tappi, 2005), and the transition in Dutch water supply from surface water to piped water (1870-1930) [8]. The transformation pathway was found in the transition in waste-disposal in the Netherlands: from cesspools to sewer systems (1850-1930) [9]) and the transformation of the Dutch highway system [10]. The reconfiguration pathway was found in the transition in the American music system and the breakthrough of rock 'n' roll (1930-1970) [11]. And de-alignment and re-alignment was found in the shift from horse-drawn carriages to automobiles in urban transport systems [12].

Project II.7 - Transition scenarios

The world has always had great uncertainty. Not only are there significant changes within developed countries but also the emergence of new economic and political powers offer both opportunities and threats. The environment and the associated issues of energy and technology are presenting new challenges while the concept of sustainable development is finally taking root. Incorporating uncertainties in policy is urgent because it ensures well-advised decisions and gives insight in probable ways for steering society towards sustainability. This is particularly relevant for the radical system innovations that play such a central role in the KSI program. Such 'transitions' are related to large, complex systems and usually take one to two generations. This complexity and time horizon simply imply that the process of change cannot be fully predicted, let alone fully controlled. What is more, often stakeholders will not even agree on the urgency and direction of change. Scenario methodology is propagated as an essential tool for policy-makers and other stakeholders, from commercial organisations to governments, to come better to grips with such uncertain futures. The purpose of Saartje Sondeijker's PhD project is to develop a scenario methodology for understanding complex systems and the dynamics therein, in relation to normative transition goals to be set in a participatory process. Developing future pathways onto the specified transition goals, and analysing how scenario methodology can be used as an art of 'strategic conversation', that brings stakeholders to a kind of alignment of their actions, is a crucial part of her research. This analytical understanding will be translated into a scenario methodology for facilitating a transition management process. The work of Saartje is part of a larger KSI project on system analysis and foresight led by Arnold Tukker of the TNO-EUR Knowledge Centre on Transitions (KCT); professors Jan Rotmans (EUR) and Jack Geurts (KUB) co-supervise the PhD. work.

Practice

Fresh Logistics Networks (FLN)

One of the so-called testing grounds (Dutch: proeftuinen) to be conducted, is the "Fresh Logistics Networks" (FLN). KSI will seek together with TransForum (Transition to sustainable agriculture) and Transumo (Transition to sustainable mobility) how to improve the logistics of the Dutch fresh food sector, and its ability to adapt to the changing demand and supply cycle in Europe. All different aspects of the fresh food sector are being accounted for, being the transport, retail and primary sector, in order to get an integrated view.

Many knowledge institutes as well as commercial parties form the fresh food sector are involved in the project. Through desk research and a market inventory, a number of pilot studies will be developed in which all parties experiment with logistical innovations. Furthermore, a transition arena will be established to bring together different actors from the sectors. The arena should allow the creation of a shared vision for (a) sustainable future(s) of the Dutch fresh food sector, through a participative process. Also it should develop a transition agenda, in collaboration with the commercial parties involved in the experiments, defining possible pathways to reach the vision of a sustainable fresh food sector.

All these different elements (the transition arena, the market inventory, the pilots and the experiments), will be continuously interacting, to enhance the processes of learning-by-doing and doing-by-learning.

KSI contributes to FLN in the form of two PhD students (Flor Avelino on mobility and Pepik Henneman on agriculture). They will apply Rotmans' theory on Transition Management in the project and guide the establishment of the transition arena. They will stay closely involved throughout the project in order collect empirical evidence from the practical example for their scientific research.

Column

From Francis Bacon's vision to unexplained diseases

Bottom up

In this section we would like young KSI researchers to express themselves, through an interview or otherwise.

Saartje Sondeijker (22) has started her PhD in January 2005 at the Dutch Research Institute for Transitions (DRIFT), Faculty of Social Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Are you from Rotterdam? No, I was born in Heerlen, lived in Maastricht, and studied in Tilburg before I came to work here.

What is your research topic? It is about transition scenarios, both the content and the process of developing them (see Science, project II.7, ed.). The time scale is about 20-50 years. I will probably apply the theory to the domains of mobility and spatial planning.

How did you find this place? After my MSc. I was interested in the subject of game simulations, theory, and the links to practice. Also, I condidered myself young enough to spend some more time studying...so I asked my professor for PhD jobs and through him I found this.

What did you study and how does your experience contribute to your PhD work? I studied Policy- and Organisational Sciences. I specialised in policy game simulations, where I discovered system analysis and participative scenario development. This is now one aspect of my PhD work.

What do you think are important qualities for a PhD student you have? I am able to structure chaos, stick to deadlines, I'm ambitious, I see complexity as a challenge and am open to new ideas/ways of thinking.

Is there a team spirit at your institute? Yes, our group consists of a dozen PhD students, several post-docs and a Professor, and everyone feels free to speak up and discuss. I like that.

What do you see as a challenge in this job? To guide a working group in a transition arena, where I will have to encourage people from different backgrounds to work together. Especially at my young age it may be difficult to gain their confidence for such a leading position.

How do you imagine yourself later, professionally? Perhaps as a university professor, or in consultancy. Ingredients I would like to see are advice, policy, and practice-oriented. But within that, I am open and see what comes on my way.

How would you describe yourself in three words? Independent, down-to-earth, spontaneous.

Is there anything you have always wanted to do, but did not realise yet? Yes, swimming with dolphins, but that is going to come true this autumn!

Publications

PhD thesis: Rob Raven (2005). Strategic Niche Management for Biomass; A comparative study on the experimental introduction of bioenergy technologies in the Netherlands and Denmark
Eindhoven : Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, 2005. - Proefschrift - ISBN 90-386-0285-5
Promotor: Johan Schot, Co-promotor: Geert Verbong

Related to historical transitions

1. Geels, F.W., 2004a, 'From sectoral systems of innovation to socio-technical systems: Insights about dynamics and change from sociology and institutional theory', Research Policy, Vol. 33, No. 6-7, pp. 897-920
2. Rip, A. & R. Kemp (1998), 'Technological Change', in: S. Rayner & E.L. Malone (eds), Human Choice and Climate Change, Columbus, Ohio: Battelle Press. Volume 2, 327-399
3. Rotmans, J., 2003, Transitiemanagement: Sleutel voor een Duurzame Samenleving, Van Gorcum, Assen
4. Geels, F.W., 2005a, Technological Transitions and System Innovations: A Co-evolutionary and Socio-Technical Analysis, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar
5. Van Driel, H. and Schot, J., 2005, 'Radical innovation as a multi-level process: Introducing floating grain elevators in the port of Rotterdam', Technology and Culture, Vol. 46, No. 1, pp. 51-76
6. Geels, F.W. (2002), 'Technological transitions as evolutionary reconfiguration processes: A multi-level perspective and a case-study', Research Policy, 31(8/9), 1257-1274
7. Tappi, D., 2005, Enlightening technologies: A Multi-level perspective on the transition from gas to electric lighting in the USA (1870-1930), Working paper (August 2005)
8. Geels, F.W., 2005b, Co-evolution of technology and society: The multi-level perspective and a case study, the transition in water supply and personal hygiene in the Netherlands (1850-1930)', Technology in Society, Vol. 27, No.3, pp. 363-397
9. Geels, F.W., 2006b, 'The hygienic transition from cesspools to sewer systems in the Netherlands (1840-1930): Improved understanding of regime transformation' (Re-submitted to Research Policy on 27 July 2005)
10. Geels, F.W., 2004b, 'Een lange termijn analyse van het Nederlandse rijkswegenbeleid (1950-2000): Belemmeringen en mogelijkheden voor toekomstige systeeminnovaties', Tijdschrift Vervoerswetenschap, Vol. 40, No. 3, pp. 2-9
11. Geels, F.W., 2005c, 'Reconfiguring the American music industry and the breakthrough of rock 'n' roll (1930-1970): A multi-level analysis of the production, distribution and consumption of music', Industrial and Corporate Change (Submitted on 13 June 2005)
12. Geels, F.W., 2006a, 'The dynamics of transitions and system innovations: A transformation route in the transition from horse-and-carriage to automobiles (1860-1930)', Technology Analysis & Strategic Management (accepted and forthcoming)

  Agenda