Socio-cognitive evolution and co-evolution in competing technical trajectories: biogas development in Denmark (1970-2002)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 22:05authored byF W Geels, R P J M Raven
This article makes two fundamental contributions to evolutionary theories of technological changes. First, a socio-cognitive evolutionary perspective is developed that conceptualises the emergence of new technologies in the pre-market phase. This topic is underdeveloped in evolutionary economics, because of its emphasis on market selection. Second, the article addresses co-evolution between two competing technical trajectories. In the pre-market phase, this interaction occurs via expectations and social networks. The perspective is illustrated with a longitudinal case study of biogas plants in Denmark. This sustainability innovation exists in two forms: farm-scale plants and centralised plants. Both forms are carried by different populations and based on different cognitive rules.
History
Publication status
Published
Journal
International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology