The neglected transformation
of socio‐technical systems:
discontinuation governance
Stefan Kuhlmann, Peter Stegmaier , Vincent R. Visser
Dept of Science, Technology, & Policy Studies (STePS), University of Twente
Eu-SPRI Conference “Transformative Governance”,
Karlsruhe, 12-13 June 2012
PROJECT PROPOSAL
ORA (Open Research Area for the Social Sciences
2011 DFG, NWO, ESRC, ANR)—DiscGo applicants:
• S Kuhlmann, P Stegmaier
University of Twente, Enschede, NL, Dept. of Science, Technology,
and Policy Studies (STePS)
• J Weyer, M Mölders
TU Dortmund, Technology Studies Group (TSG)
• A Stirling, F Geels
University of Sussex, Science and Technology Policy Research (SPRU)
• PB Joly, M Barbier, F Dedieu
INRA and Université Paris Est, Unit 1326 SenS IFRIS
Kuhlmann/Stegmaier/Visser: Governance of Discontinuation
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PROJECT IDEA
Governance of the
abandonment of socio-technical
systems: fading out,
termination, deconstruction
Governance of socio-technical
systems: a matter of progress &
innovation
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PROJECT FOCUS
• Focus: ‘discontinuation’ as purposeful
governance action sui generis
• In contrast to ‘discontinuity’ as market
phenomenon (Utterback 2003) and
‘destabilisation’ as a regime transition
phenomenon (Turnheim & Geels 2012)
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SHOCKS & NICHES
(Adapted from Geels/Schot, 2007: 410, emphasis added)
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PRELIMINARY HEURISTIC
Instead of starting from
hypotheses (useful only in
well-researched areas), we
build search heuristic and
conceptualisation of the
governance problems
(questions and theory) on
the grounds of investigated
phenomena themselves.
Exiting
Types of termination
Process
dynamics
Types of dynamics
Policy
instruments
Types of instruments
Scope
Types of range and application
Legitimation
Types of regulation and justification
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METHODS
Four case studies
Analysis of governance forms and strategies, path
analysis, typology building
Network analysis (qualitative) on the basis of
discourse analysis, computer simulation & business
games
Expert interviews, document analysis
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FOUR CASES
• Phase-out of the incandescent light bulb technology through the
EU regulation 244/2009, based on the Eco-Design of Energy-Using
Products Directive 2009/125/EC, started in the EU in 2009
• Commitments to phase out nuclear power from its current major
role in the energy sectors of several countries worldwide, with
others ceasing earlier-planned nuclear expansion; discontinuation
efforts have been accelerating since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear
disaster, Spring 2011
• Banning of synthetic pesticide DDT for agricultural use worldwide
under the Stockholm Convention in 2004
• Replacement of fossil fuel combustion technology by (battery)
electric engine technology, a trend that has been speeding up since
the global economic recession in the late 2000s.
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EXPLORATION OF PATTERNS
Build no nuclear
power plants at all
Exit nuclear
energy technology
Nuclear
energy
Combustion
engine cars
banned from
cities
Road pricing,
special permits for
electric vehicles
Combustion
car engines
Stop construction
Replace only
single out-dated
plants
Promotion of
research on
electric vehicles
Purchase
subsidies of
electric vehicles
From single
countries to
worldwide ban
With forward and
backward
decisions
Some pioneers
made solo
attempts
Transnationally
coordinated
efforts later
DDT
Differentiating
agricultural use &
vector control
Home and foreign
markets ban
Light bulb
Stop to gen.-purp.,
non-direct., grad.
to lower wattages
Kuhlmann/Stegmaier/Visser: Governance of Discontinuation
Official deadlines
vs. private usage
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PRELIMINARY FINDINGS
Guiding problems
Exiting
Process dynamics
Policy instruments
Scope
Legitimation
Operationalisation
problems
Abandonment
Construction stop
Partial replacement
Aftercare
Incremental steps
Fw./bw. decisions
Pioneering
Transnat. coordination
Ban
Pricing, permits
Research
Purchase subsidies
Alternative offers
Usage
Home/foreign markets
Official/priv. ending
Nat./supranat. gov. level
Specific regulations
Justification
Incandescent
light bulb NL
Nuclear energy
D
x
x
x
x
DDT NL
Combustion car
engine D
x
x
x
x
x
(x)
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
- (D), x (F)
x
- (D), (x UK)
x
x
(x)
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
?
x
?
x
x
?
Kuhlmann/Stegmaier/Visser: Governance of Discontinuation
- (D), x (F)
x
x
x
x
?
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CASE: Disc. of ILB in EU
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CASE: Disc. of ILB in EU (II)
Eco-design
framework by EC
(2005/32/EC)
Push for
policy/ban on ILB
=> ‘Lighting’ as
product group for
eco-design
EUP4light project
Kuhlmann/Stegmaier/Visser: Governance of Discontinuation
Draft eco-design
regulation by EC
=> adopted by EP
and Consultation
Forum
(2009/244/EC)
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CASE: Disc. of ILB in EU (III)
Focus of research:
Get a better understanding of purposeful discontinuation
governance along the example of the ILB (with some side
glances at lighting innovation)
Research question:
Which discontinuation issues are identified by the relevant
governance actors over time and which discontinuation
trade-offs are constituted?
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CASE: Disc. of ILB in EU (IV)
Relevant governance actors
European Commission
Responsible for setting (eco-design)
regulation
EUP4light project
‘Open’ stakeholder project: Study for
setting eco-design requirements
Consultation Forum
‘Closed’ stakeholder project
(organized by EC): review
implementation of policy
European Parliament
Took initiative to set and discuss the
ban of ILB
SCENIHR research
Light sensitivity report: Scientific
Committee on Emerging and Newly
Identified Health Risks
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CASE: Disc. of ILB in EU (V)
A. Constitution/design of discontinuation policy
DIMENSIONS OF REGULATION
• Ban vs. Gradual replacement
• Focus on energy efficiency vs. other requirements
• Speed of discontinuation
• Strictness: room for exceptions vs. no exceptions
• Monitoring of regulation
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CASE: Disc. of ILB in EU (VI)
B. Barriers/trade-offs for discontinuation (governance)
BARRIERS OF SYSTEM/INFRASTRUCTURE
• Retrofitting/luminaires
• Harmonic interference
• Dim installation
BARRIERS OF ‘REPLACING’ TECHNOLOGY
• Use of materials and recycling
• Health issues
• Performance/quality issues (design aesthetics, quality of light, dim-option,
start-up time, image issues)
COSTS OF DISCONTINUATION
• Replacement costs vs life cycle costs
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CASE: Disc. of ILB in EU (VII)
BARRIERS CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR
• Hamstering ILBs
• Changes in use (rebound effects)
NEED OF INFORMATION/EDUCATION
• Awareness raising for need of discontinuation
• Need of knowledge for replacement
• Need for new (eco) labelling
• Comparison of light output of new lamp types
ISSUES FOR INDUSTRY (IN EU)
• Negative vs. Positive effects for employment
• Capacity for new production
BURDENS OF EXISTING LEGISLATION
• National/supranational/international level
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FIRST CONCLUSIONS
• No surprise:
• Discontinuation governance takes place in a
highly complex context—technically as well as
socially
• Discontinuation governance has to cope with
resistance to dedicated, forceful change
(institutional inertia; vested interests)
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