Technological transitions as evolutionary reconfiguration processes: a multi-level perspective and a case-study

Frank W. Geels Centre for Studies of Science, Technology and Society, University of Twente, TWRC-D-311, P.O. Box 217,

7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands Received 24 August 2001; received in revised form 16 October 2001; accepted 12 December 2001

Abstract

This paper addresses the question of how technological transitions (TT) come about? Are there particular patterns and

mechanisms in transition processes? TT are defined as major, long-term technological changes in the way societal functions

are fulfilled. TT do not only involve changes in technology, but also changes in user practices, regulation, industrial networks,

infrastructure, and symbolic meaning or culture. This paper practices ‘appreciative theory’ [R.R. Nelson, S.G. Winter, An

Evolutionary Theory of Economic Change, Bellknap Press, Cambridge, MA, 1982] and brings together insights from evolutionary economics and technology studies. This results in a multi-level perspective on TT where two views of the evolution

are combined: (i) evolution as a process of variation, selection and retention, (ii) evolution as a process of unfolding and reconfiguration. The perspective is empirically illustrated with a qualitative longitudinal case-study, the transition from sailing

ships to steamships, 1780–1900. Three particular mechanisms in TT are described: niche-cumulation, technological add-on

and hybridisation, riding along with market growth.

© 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

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