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Project-oriented agency and regeneration in socio-technical transition: Insights from the case of numerical weather prediction (1978–2015)

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  • Lenfle, Sylvain
  • Söderlund, Jonas

Abstract

This paper analyzes the unfolding of socio-technical transition (STT) using the multi-level perspective (MLP) framework. It relies on an in-depth case study of the “quiet revolution” of numerical weather prediction. The study reveals how key actors targeted the reverse salient of data assimilation and thereby facilitated the transition toward a new “variational” regime. In so doing, the paper makes three contributions to the STT literature: (1) it identifies a new type of transition pathway, “regeneration,” in which the regime transforms itself from within, despite the lack of changes in landscape pressure, to overcome internal tensions; (2) it showcases “project-oriented agency” as the central mechanism of this transition, which allows the actors to join forces and cooperate to counteract the reverse salient; and (3) it proposes a process model of project-oriented agency that accounts for the role of the reverse salient in the regeneration pathway.

Suggested Citation

  • Lenfle, Sylvain & Söderlund, Jonas, 2022. "Project-oriented agency and regeneration in socio-technical transition: Insights from the case of numerical weather prediction (1978–2015)," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(3).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:51:y:2022:i:3:s004873332100247x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2021.104455
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Barbier, Raphaëlle & Ben Yahia, Skander & Lenfle, Sylvain & Weil, Benoit, 2024. "Data-push innovation beyond serendipity: The case of a digital platform making Earth Observation data fit into multiple use contexts," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    3. Tian Liang & Hongying Mao & Yujiao Tan & Bing Sun, 2023. "How Does Socio-technical Landscape Affect the Formation of Technical Standards?," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, December.
    4. Papachristos, George & Papadonikolaki, Eleni & Morgan, Bethan, 2024. "Projects as a speciation and aggregation mechanism in transitions: Bridging project management and transitions research in the digitalization of UK architecture, engineering, and construction industry," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    5. Raphaelle Barbier & Skander Ben Yahia & Pascal Le Masson & Benoit Weil, 2022. "Co-Design for Novelty Anchoring Into Multiple Socio-Technical Systems in Transitions: The Case of Earth Observation Data," Post-Print hal-03772981, HAL.

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