On sustainability transitions and industrial development – the case of offshore wind

Abstract

This thesis makes a major contribution to sustainability transitions by delving into the coupling dynamics of industrial development and innovation systems. Innovation systems are widely used to grasp the mechanisms of technological emergence, but generally presume that industrial development is the de facto outcome of such activities rather than a concerted effort. Three theoretical gaps serve as the central pillars of this thesis: 1) Influence: Innovation systems neglect to reflect on what is within and beyond the influence of a nation to facilitate industry formation. 2) Missions: The effect of mission-oriented innovation policy on innovation systems and industry building remains underexplored, particularly regarding lock-in and resilience. 3) Governance addresses guiding human behavior towards certain ends and is dependent on who gets to make decisions, how and for what purpose. This determines the formation and trajectory of innovation systems and industries. Offshore wind serves as our empirical case and is the cornerstone of many costal countries’ energy transition programs, such as the Netherlands. We conducted 65 interviews, statistically analyzed an industry database and assessed a government sponsored R&D project database. It is possible to achieve the double-dividend effect, thereby benefiting sustainability transitions and industrial growth. The rapid diffusion of new technologies is feasible, particularly when there is strong relatedness between existing sectors and the emerging technology. However, it may also lead to technological lock-in and weaken resilience. Openness to a multitude of actors that engage in decision-making processes leads to a high degree of legitimacy, common expectations and shared purpose.