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A retroductive systems-based methodology for socio-technical transitions research

Papachristos, G; Adamides, E; (2016) A retroductive systems-based methodology for socio-technical transitions research. Technological Forecasting and Social Change , 108 pp. 1-14. 10.1016/j.techfore.2016.04.007. Green open access

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Abstract

Socio-technical system transitions research describes and categorizes transitions and explains and identifies their driving causes. In the literature, transition research frameworks have received some critique on whether they can facilitate the search for transition causes. As a response, and in order to cater for the complexity and contextuality of multi system transitions, this paper proposes a retroductive systems-based methodology. The methodology relies on qualitative case study development and quantitative simulation modelling. Retroduction along with modelling and simulation can contribute to the shift from researching single system/technology transitions to multi system/technology transitions. Thus the paper offers a step towards coping methodologically with sustainability transitions that often concern multi system interactions. We demonstrate the use of the methodology by adopting the Multi-Level Perspective on transitions to explain the emergence of the functional foods as a niche in the food/nutrition socio-technical system.

Type: Article
Title: A retroductive systems-based methodology for socio-technical transitions research
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2016.04.007
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2016.04.007
Language: English
Additional information: Copyright © 2016. This manuscript version is published under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Non-derivative 4.0 International licence (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). This licence allows you to share, copy, distribute and transmit the work for personal and non-commercial use providing author and publisher attribution is clearly stated. Further details about CC BY licences are available at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0. Access may be initially restricted by the publisher.
Keywords: Socio-technical systems; Transitions; Research methodology; Retroduction; Critical realism; System dynamics
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1502270
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