Lecture 2

Question 1

What is twin transition?

Answer 1

twin transitions,” which refers to the coupling of digital and sustainable innovations. The authors argue that while digital innovations have the potential to significantly contribute to sustainability transitions, not all digital innovations inherently lead to sustainable outcomes

Question 2

how does maikitie (2023) classify twin transitions?

Answer 2

1. Incremental Twin Innovations: Minor improvements in both digital and sustainable aspects that optimize existing systems without fundamental changes.
2. Digitally Supported Sustainable Innovations: Radical sustainable innovations supported by incremental digital innovations.
3. Sustainability Supported Digital Innovations: Radical digital innovations with some sustainability benefits.
4. Radical Twin Innovations: Fundamental changes in both digital and sustainable dimensions, leading to new pathways for sustainability transitions.

Question 3

what is meant by intended and unintended consequences?

Answer 3

• Intended Consequences (first-order): Digital innovations like smart grids and renewable energy management systems are designed to optimize energy use and reduce emissions.
• Unintended Consequences (second order): However, these technologies can also lead to increased energy consumption due to the rebound effect, or exacerbate social inequalities if access to digital technologies is uneven.

Question 4

what does makitie (2023) see the MLP in relation to digital innovations?

Answer 4

• Regime Level: The dominant structures and practices that maintain the status quo.
• Niche Level: Spaces where radical innovations can develop and mature.
• Landscape Level: The broader context that can exert pressure on regimes, creating opportunities for niche innovations to break through.

Question 5

How can digital innovation influence the regime?

Answer 5

• Strengthening Existing Regimes: Incremental digital innovations can optimize current systems without challenging the status quo.
• Altering Regimes: Radical digital innovations can disrupt existing structures, leading to new configurations.
• Creating New Regimes: When coupled with radical sustainable innovations, digital technologies can lead to entirely new socio-technical regimes.

Question 6

please give an example on twin transitions and the typology

Answer 6

Incremental twin innovation

Example: Installing basic smart meters and adding a few solar panels to existing power plants
Key point: Small steps in both digital and sustainable aspects

Digitally supported sustainable innovation:

Example: Major shift to wind/solar farms with basic digital monitoring tools
Key point: Big renewable energy change, supported by basic digital tools

Sustainability supported digital innovation
Example: AI-powered grid management that happens to reduce energy waste
Key point: Advanced digital transformation with sustainability as a bonus

Radical twin innovation
Example: Fully decentralized smart grid where consumers trade renewable energy using blockchain
Key point: Complete reinvention of both how energy is produced and managed

Question 7

what is the core message of the paper makitie 2023?

Answer 7

The authors conclude that while digital innovations have significant potential to contribute to sustainability transitions, their impact depends on how they are integrated with sustainable innovations and the broader socio-technical context. They call for more research to understand the complexities of these interactions and to develop strategies for promoting radical twin innovations that can drive meaningful sustainability transitions.

Question 8

what is the critique Bohnsack (2022) has on digital technologies?

Answer 8

• Ambiguity of Digital Technologies: Digital technologies can simultaneously offer benefits and drawbacks. For example, electric vehicles (EVs) reduce emissions but their production requires significant natural resources. Similarly, carbon capture technologies can reduce emissions but may prolong the life of polluting industries.
• Trade-offs: The paper highlights the inherent trade-offs in sustainability, where achieving one objective might compromise another. This complexity necessitates a critical attitude towards the integration of digital and sustainable innovations.

Question 9

what are first and second order consequences mean?

Answer 9

• First-Order Consequences: These are the direct, intended impacts of digital technologies. For instance, smart farming technologies can significantly reduce fertilizer use and energy consumption, directly contributing to sustainability.
• Second-Order Consequences: These are the indirect, unintended impacts that can either enhance or undermine the intended benefits. Examples include the increased energy consumption of ICT manufacturing and ethical concerns related to data privacy and consumer lock-in.

Question 10

what are the unique traits of digital technologies Bohnsack (2022) discusses?

Answer 10

Convergence: Blurring of industry boundaries due to digital technologies. Example: Digital platforms like Piclo Flex enable the coordination of energy supply and demand by connecting various stakeholders, including energy producers, consumers, and grid operators. This integration blurs the traditional boundaries between energy production, distribution, and consumption, creating a more interconnected and efficient energy system.

Generativity: Capacity for uncoordinated, large-scale innovations enabled by digital technologies. Example: Social media repurposed for sustainability communication.

Question 11

what case studies are described in the Bohnsack (2022) paper that describes the 1st/2nd order consequences?

Answer 11

• Hybrid Business Models: The paper examines how digital platforms can integrate multiple design themes to balance for-profit and for-purpose objectives. For example, the electricity firm Piclo Flex uses digital platforms to manage tensions between these objectives.
• Industry 4.0 Technologies: The adoption of smart manufacturing and data processing technologies in supply chains can lead to positive circular economy outcomes, but only if there is effective stakeholder collaboration.
• Social Media and Sustainability: Firms use social media to enhance their sustainability profiles, but this can backfire if perceived as greenwashing. The quality and credibility of information are crucial in determining the effectiveness of these efforts.
• Citizen Science and Big Data: These technologies can enhance citizen engagement and generate tax savings, but they also raise privacy concerns due to the storage of personal information.