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Participative Modelling of Socio‐Technical Transitions: Why and How Should We Look Beyond the Case‐Specific Energy Transition Challenge?
Author(s) -
UlliBeer Silvia,
Kubli Merla,
Zapata Juliana,
Wurzinger Michael,
Musiolik Jörg,
Furrer Bettina
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
systems research and behavioral science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1099-1743
pISSN - 1092-7026
DOI - 10.1002/sres.2470
Subject(s) - transition (genetics) , sociotechnical system , energy transition , energy (signal processing) , sociology , management science , psychology , computer science , knowledge management , physics , engineering , medicine , chemistry , quantum mechanics , biochemistry , gene , alternative medicine , pathology , panacea (medicine)
Participative modelling (PM) is a promising approach to mutual learning about causal mechanisms and dynamics in socio‐technical transitions. However, case‐specific PM initiatives often fail to generate insights that inform related cases. We address this methodical limitation in a case study on the Swiss energy transition. The central question is as follows: How can a PM workshop series be designed to create insights that go beyond the single socio‐technical transition case? Based on theorizing literature, we develop a process framework for generic PM based on system dynamics modelling and socio‐technical transition frameworks. The framework differentiates the steps in theorizing and explains how to integrate different levels of theorizing into the PM process. We illustrate how we applied the framework in our PM workshop series. Our experiences show that workshop participants employ various conceptual tools (e.g. socio‐technical frameworks or causal loop diagrams) to classify and clarify their own experience in general terms. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.