Participatory multi-modelling as the creation of a boundary object ecology: the case of future energy infrastructures in the Rotterdam Port Industrial Cluster

Abstract

Finding leverage points for sustainability transformation of industrial and infrastructure systems is challenging, given that transformation is emergent from the complex interactions among socio-technical system elements over time within a specific social, technical and geographical context. Participatory multi-modelling, in which modellers and stakeholders collaborate to develop multiple interacting models to support a shared understanding of systems, is a promising approach to support sustainability transformations. The participatory process of modeling can serve as a leverage point by facilitating social learning amongst stakeholders, in which models can function as boundary objects that facilitate dialogue between stakeholders from different social worlds. We propose that participatory multi-modeling allows for the creation of a boundary object ecology, which involves a set of interacting and co-evolving boundary objects emerging throughout the modeling process. To explore this, we analyse the participatory multi-modelling process in the Windmaster project in the Rotterdam Port industrial cluster to understand which design choices were key to the creation of boundary objects. Our analysis shows that two types of design choices were key: design choices that enabled translations between participants, and those between participants and their organisation. We conclude that conceptualising participatory multi-modelling as a process of an evolving boundary object ecology, creating and adapting multiple interacting boundary objects provides a novel perspective that is useful for analysis and design of future participatory multi-modeling processes.

MES System Based on Industrial Ecology in Energy Measurement Management

“…Establish enterprise energy consumption parameter database is the basis of energy efficiency analysis and core, and for enterprise energy efficiency test, we need to focus on accurate measurement to the energy consumption parameter system classification statistics, our purpose is to use the system classification method, using the advantages of computer database will complex energy consumption project perfect, accurate list, and with half ratio of energy consumption, let enterprises can clearly see the energy consumption, make the enterprise focus to governance and improve. The test and efficiency analysis of the main energy-consuming equipment can be obtained, including [11][12].…”

Theorizing Participatory Control Systems: an organizational control concept for enabling and guiding adaptivity in complex situations

“…As such, traditional MCS instruments such as diagnostic control systems and boundary systems stimulate a type of learning that often provides positive returns on the short run (Kloot 1997; Martyn et al 2016). However, in order to adapt and survive on the long run, organizations need to innovate and transform themselves effectively which requires paradigm-shifting or generative learning (Argyris and Schon 1996;Cuppen et al 2021;Hartog and Paape 2020;Kloot 1997;Senge 2006). Due to wicked planning crises (Rittel and Webber 1973), increasing societal complexity, increasing pace of disruption and deeper levels of uncertainty, the balance between both types of learning must (and will inevitably) shift from a focus on short-term performance to ongoing transformation and adaptation.…”

Reconceptualizing contemporary energy markets

“…As we have seen, financialization and fossil fuel reliance are themselves formidable examples of the latter. The reorganization of energy markets along more granular, local and varied scales (Kuzemko, 2019), such as via participatory multi-modelling (Cuppen et al., 2020), while at the same time strengthening global access to RE technologies (Goldthau and Hughes, 2020) may be a means of addressing the former.…”