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Automobilities after SARS-CoV-2: A Socio-Technical Perspective

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  • Liqiao Wang

    (Business School, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3EU, UK)

  • Peter Wells

    (Business School, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3EU, UK)

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis, informed by socio-technical transitions theory and the socially derived concept of automobility, of the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and resulting COVID-19 pandemic on automobility in Europe. The paper argues that the concept of a pervasive, sudden, and powerful crisis has not previously be explored in the socio-technical transitions literature. The strong behavioural changes in physical and virtual mobility associated with the pandemic are argued to be particularly significant, representing a ‘living lab’ in which to explore the possibilities for disintegrating the boundaries of the automobility system, thereby breaking the enduring structures and practices that have enabled automobility to remain largely unchallenged in the policy arena. Change processes previously underway in the automotive industry and in automobility are not impacted equally by the pandemic. We present initial evidence that mobility sharing will reduce, while the acceptance of electric cars will increase. However, it is also concluded that the hegemony of private automobility is not in itself threatened by pandemic outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Liqiao Wang & Peter Wells, 2020. "Automobilities after SARS-CoV-2: A Socio-Technical Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:15:p:5978-:d:389178
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    2. Griffiths, S. & Furszyfer Del Rio, D. & Sovacool, B., 2021. "Policy mixes to achieve sustainable mobility after the COVID-19 crisis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    3. Jesús Dacio Villarreal Samaniego & Roberto Joaquín Santillán-Salgado & Luis Jacob Escobar Saldivar, 2022. "The Global Automotive Industry Stock Returns During the COVID-19 Pandemic," Remef - Revista Mexicana de Economía y Finanzas Nueva Época REMEF (The Mexican Journal of Economics and Finance), Instituto Mexicano de Ejecutivos de Finanzas, IMEF, vol. 17(4), pages 1-21, Octubre -.
    4. Muntaser Mohamed Nuttah & Paolo Roma & Giovanna Lo Nigro & Giovanni Perrone, 2024. "The Short- and Long-Term Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Sharing Economy: Distinguishing Between “Symptomatic” and “Asymptomatic” Platforms," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(2), pages 9238-9287, June.
    5. Jelena Končar & Aleksandar Grubor & Radenko Marić & Sonja Vučenović & Goran Vukmirović, 2020. "Setbacks to IoT Implementation in the Function of FMCG Supply Chain Sustainability during COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-21, September.

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