Lecture1.3

Question 1

Definition of Multi-Level Perspective (MLP)

Answer 1

The multi-level perspective explains the transformation of sectors and industries
at three levels: Socio-Technical Regime, Niches, and Landscape.
- Transitions result from interactions between these levels.
- Regime promotes stability; Niches and Landscape drive change.

Question 2

Levels of MLP: Socio-Technical Regime

Answer 2

Socio-Technical Regime: Established structures in a sector.
- Examples:
- Existing infrastructures
- Business models
- Technology standards
- Regulations
- Promotes stability.

Question 3

Levels of MLP: Niches

Answer 3

Niches: Protected spaces fostering innovation.
- Examples:
- Research labs
- Pilot projects, field tests
Public funding supported
R&D department

• Drives change.

Question 4

Levels of MLP: Landscape

Answer 4

Landscape: External developments impacting transitions and innovation.
- Examples:
- Oil price changes
- Disasters like Fukushima
- Global events like COVID-19
- Diesel Gate Skandal (VW software made appear high solution lower as it was)
- Fridays for future
- Drives change.

Question 5

Stages of a Transition: Pre-Development

Answer 5

Pre-Development Stage:
- Stable regime structures.
- Weak interactions between levels; niche innovations cannot break through. No major changes.

Question 6

Stages of a Transition: Acceleration

Answer 6

Acceleration Stage:
- Landscape developments disrupt regime.
- Mature niche innovations compete with regime technologies.
- Regime structures break down; innovations replace existing technologies.

Question 7

Stages of a Transition: New Regime

Answer 7

New Regime Stage:
- Innovations replace former technologies.
- New stable regime structures emerge.

Question 8

Limitations of MLP

Answer 8

Limitations:
- A heuristic framework; real transitions are more complex (because they are large scale).
- Causes of deviations:
- Resistance from established firms. -> slow down transitions
- Simultaneous transitions (e.g., electric vehicles vs larger SUVs).

Question 9

Firms in Transitions

Answer 9

From a firm’s perspective:
- Transition = struggle between incumbents and newcomers.
- Incumbents: Associated with regime level. (may also drive innovation)
- Newcomers: Operate in niches but may drive innovation.
Sometimes fought within a company.
However, incumbent firms may also drive innovation.

Question 10

Key Summary of MLP

Answer 10

Summary:
- Transitions = fundamental transformations of existing sectors.
- Focus on stability and change interplay.
- Three levels:
- Regime (resists change)
- Niches (innovation occurs)
- Landscape (external developments).
Transitions depend on landscape and niche developments.

Question 11

Sustainability Transition

Answer 11

are large-scale, sector-wide

Question 12

Who needs to understand it?

Answer 12

• Policy makers might want to guide transition in a sustainable direction
• Firm might want to profit from the opportunities given by a transition