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Sociotechnical scenarios as a new policy tool to explore system innovations: Co-evolutional of technology and society in The Netherland's electricity domain
Peter S Hoffman
Center for Clean Technology and Environmental Policy, University of Twente
Boelie E Elzen
Centre for Studies of Science, Technology and Society, University of Twente
Frank W Geels
Department of Technology Management, Technical University Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Abstract
System innovations are long-term transitions from one sociotechnical system to another. They involve not only changes in technology, but also changes in user practices, regulation, industrial networks, infrastructure, and culture.
Current scenario methods are not entirely suited to explore possible system innovations. They lack attention to the co-evolution of technology and society, and to insights from innovation studies and sociology of technology.
Hence, we propose a new tool: sociotechnical scenarios. We illustrate the tool with two scenarios in the electricity domain, sketching transition paths to more sustainable systems. We also derive strategic policy recommendations from the two scenarios.
Keywords
co-evolution, sociotechnical scenarios, methodology, system innovation, electricity, strategic policy making
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