Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Kungl, Gregor
• Hess, David J.

Titel

Sustainability transitions and strategic action fields: A literature review and discussion

Ist Teil von

• Environmental innovation and societal transitions, 2021-03, Vol.38, p.22-33

Ort / Verlag

Elsevier B.V

Erscheinungsjahr

2021

Quelle

Alma/SFX Local Collection

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• •Strategic action field theory is gaining attention in sustainability transition studies.•Five conceptual clusters are identified that are useful for the analysis of agency, strategy, and power.•Field theory also provides an integrated approach to the analysis of institutional change.•Transition researchers have made significant changes and additions to strategic action field theory. With the growing attention to political dimensions of sustainability transitions (STs), researchers have shown interest in theoretical frameworks from policy studies and sociology. A framework that has growing popularity is the theory of strategic action fields (SAF) as developed by Fligstein and McAdam (2011; 2012). This review shows 1) how the integrated and holistic approach of SAF theory can contribute to growing interest in ST research in institutions, power, and agency; and 2) how ST researchers have modified and extended SAF theory. Based on a systematic sample of publications, the study identifies five theoretical clusters of SAF theory in ST research: actor relations and resources; change, emergence, and destabilization of fields; field rules; agency, framing, and coalitions; and strategic action in an interfield matrix. The potential of field theory as an analytical framework for ST research is discussed and critically assessed.