Exploring the complexity, role and functions of innovation brokers in system innovation and sociotechnical system change

Abstract

It is increasingly acknowledged that, to achieve sustainability, there is an urgent need for radical and transformative restructuring of socio-technical systems, referred to as system innovations for sustainability or transitions. The aim of the study was to investigate the contribution of innovation intermediaries in sociotechnical transitions and how the complexity of the transition context influences the innovation intermediary role and activities. Particularly, the study provides input in the lack of practical knowledge on how systems can be changed deliberately by intermediary activities.

The conceptual framework is built on the multilevel perspective (MLP) and strategic niche management (SNM) to explore the roles and functions innovation intermediates can play at each transition management level, here with a particular focus on sustainability transitions and the three processes of SNM. The study presents an embedded single case study of an intergovernmental Nordic innovation intermediary organisation that acts as an innovation broker’, where intermediation is the organisation’s core function. Here, I seek to identify examples of intermediating that have created the momentum for system change and that can illustrate the role that intermediaries can take.

The finding reveal that sustainability transitions need systemic intermediaries because they play a role in voicing new visions and in piloting and testing niche solutions; as convenors, they can bring together the different people involved in acting to change a system. Yet it is difficult to demonstrate their effect on sociotechnical transitions because of attributability challenges and the intangibility of some of their inputs, as well as the long-term picture of system innovations and transitions and the restricted engagement period of the intermediary activities.

Keywords: sociotechnical transitions, system innovation, innovation intermediaries, transformative outcomes, strategic niche management, multilevel perspective, sustainability transitions

It is increasingly acknowledged that, to achieve sustainability, there is an urgent need for radical and transformative restructuring of socio-technical systems, referred to as system innovations for sustainability or transitions. The aim of the study was to investigate the contribution of innovation intermediaries in sociotechnical transitions and how the complexity of the transition context influences the innovation intermediary role and activities. Particularly, the study provides input in the lack of practical knowledge on how systems can be changed deliberately by intermediary activities.

The conceptual framework is built on the multilevel perspective (MLP) and strategic niche management (SNM) to explore the roles and functions innovation intermediates can play at each transition management level, here with a particular focus on sustainability transitions and the three processes of SNM. The study presents an embedded single case study of an intergovernmental Nordic innovation intermediary organisation that acts as an innovation broker’, where intermediation is the organisation’s core function. Here, I seek to identify examples of intermediating that have created the momentum for system change and that can illustrate the role that intermediaries can take.

The finding reveal that sustainability transitions need systemic intermediaries because they play a role in voicing new visions and in piloting and testing niche solutions; as convenors, they can bring together the different people involved in acting to change a system. Yet it is difficult to demonstrate their effect on sociotechnical transitions because of attributability challenges and the intangibility of some of their inputs, as well as the long-term picture of system innovations and transitions and the restricted engagement period of the intermediary activities.

Keywords: sociotechnical transitions, system innovation, innovation intermediaries, transformative outcomes, strategic niche management, multilevel perspective, sustainability transitions