How mismatching institutional logics frustrate sustainability transitions

Abstract

Despite the centrality of niche-regime interaction in the Multi Level Perspective, scant attention has been paid to how exactly this interaction unfolds at the micro-level. This article sets out to deepen insights in niche-regime interaction by focusing on the confrontation between niche and regime rule-sets. We draw on the concept of ‘institutional logics’ to identify divergent types of practices and underlying belief systems in the case of biomethane injection in the Dutch natural gas grid. Based on interviews and background documents we find diverging logics for network operators and biomethane producers, which hampers cooperation due to trust and communication issues. We observe that ‘boundary bridging’ organizations step in to connect and translate between the different groups to bridge this gap. This research shows that we cannot ignore the social dimension of transition processes: transitions do not only depend on the well-known technical, economic and regulative dimensions, but also on the ability of people to change their belief systems and practices and thus open up new avenues for change.