Identifying Transition Capacity for Agri-food Regimes: Application of the Multi-level Perspective for Strategic Mapping

Abstract

In this paper, agri-food systems are discussed in the context of a set of sociotechnical transitions principles, with a focus on energy, materials and practice elements that have the potential to promote sustainable outcomes across the system. This paper aims to develop an integrated approach for regime analysis, informed by emerging knowledge on socio-technical transitions. The application of the multi-level perspective (MLP) as a heuristic framework to structure descriptions of the multi-dimensional transition contexts of contemporary agri-food regimes is explored. To do this, the paper aims to elaborate the MLP by proposing an integrated means through which complex transition dynamics can be mapped across: (a) energy and material flows and (b) social practices which shape, direct and determine these energy and material flows. This approach is labelled strategic regime mapping (SRM). The paper forwards insights from the development of SRM and discusses the role of strategic mapping of key points across the regime. By combining insight on the conceptualization of dynamic and globally interconnected socio-technical systems with specific observations on contemporary agri-food systems, the paper provides insight into the mapping of transition capacity across agri-food systems, as well as highlighting the significant challenges associated with such an undertaking.

Systemic perspectives on scaling agricultural innovations. A review

“…It is a perspective that is increasingly applied in the context of agriculture (e.g. Blesh and Wolf 2014;Diaz et al 2013;Elzen et al 2011Elzen et al , 2012Hinrichs 2014;Ingram 2015;Lamine 2011;Morrissey et al 2014;Sutherland et al 2015). If this perspective is applied to scaling, it provides insight regarding the dynamics that influence why some innovations go to scale and others do not.…”

Scaling up and out as a Pathway for Food System Transitions

“…A number of frameworks, or pathways, have achieved prominence including those concerned with organizational management, social movements and technological innovations [23]. Such ideas have been applied to food system innovations, with Geels' [24] multilevel perspective model particularly popular, e.g., [2,9,10,25]. This regards transitions as a result of interaction between regime, landscape and niche.…”

“…Food systems encompass activities to produce, process, distribute, sell and consume food, which are linked in complex relationships and feedback loops [18]. Today's dominant food system is characterised by highly industrialised production feeding global supply chains where power concentrates with multi-national businesses [9,19,20]. Transitions from this towards sustainability are driven by the goal of increasing social justice and reducing environmental damage [19], and increasing resilience to climate change [20].…”

“…Applied to food systems, regime represents mainstream approaches dominated by large-scale industrial farming, and lengthy supply chains controlled by powerful agri-businesses [9]. Niche innovations include alternative food networks which bring producers and consumers closer together [2], organic food production [10], and civil society programmes supporting local food activity to shorten supply chains [26].…”

Roadmapping to Enhance Local Food Supply: Case Study of a City-Region in Austria

“…As Meynard et al (2017) [48] note, the development of niches outside the dominant socio-technical regime, where new forms of knowledge and novel partnerships amongst food actors can emerge, is a decisive factor in enabling sustainable transitions of agri-food systems. In this context, an open food lab can function as a "locus for innovation" to support experimenting for radical innovations [49,50].…”