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User-made Immobilities: A Transitions Perspective

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  • Laur Kanger

    (Chair of Media and Communication, Institute of Social Studies, University of Tartu, Estonia, Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex, UK)

  • Johan Schot

    (Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex, UK)

Abstract

In this paper we aim to conceptualize the role of users in creating, expanding and stabilizing the automobility system. Drawing on transition studies we offer a typology of user roles including user-producers, user-legitimators, user-intermediaries, user-citizens and user-consumers, and explore it on the historical transition to the automobile regime in the USA. We find that users play an important role during the entire transition process but some roles are more salient than others in particular phases. Another finding is that the success of the transitions depends on the stabilization of the emerging regime which will trigger upscaling in terms of the numbers of adopters. The findings are used to reflect on potential crossovers between transitions and mobilities research.

Suggested Citation

  • Laur Kanger & Johan Schot, 2016. "User-made Immobilities: A Transitions Perspective," SPRU Working Paper Series 2016-13, SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex Business School.
    • Handle: RePEc:sru:ssewps:2016-13
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    Cited by:

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    2. Hyysalo, Sampsa & Juntunen, Jouni K. & Martiskainen, Mari, 2018. "Energy Internet forums as acceleration phase transition intermediaries," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(5), pages 872-885.
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    10. María Elena López Reyes & Willem A. Zwagers & Ingrid J. Mulder, 2020. "Considering the Human-Dimension to Make Sustainable Transitions Actionable," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-25, October.
    11. Paula Kivimaa & Wouter Boon & Sampsa Hyysalo & Laurens Klerkx, 2017. "Towards a Typology of Intermediaries in Transitions: a Systematic Review," SPRU Working Paper Series 2017-17, SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex Business School.
    12. Javier Turienzo & Pablo Cabanelas & Jesús F. Lampón, 2022. "The Mobility Industry Trends Through the Lens of the Social Analysis: A Multi-Level Perspective Approach," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(1), pages 21582440211, January.
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