Unraveling Sustainability Transitions, Path Creation, and Opportunity Space for Sustainable Development Policy

A Conceptual Literature Review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15359/peds.9-2.3

Keywords:

opportunity space, change agency, evolutionary economic geography, sustainable development policy

Abstract

This conceptual literature review explores the nuanced terrain of sustainability transitions, path creation, and opportunity space within the theoretical framework of evolutionary economic geography. Grounded in the foundational principles of this field, which examines the spatial and temporal dynamics of economic evolution, the paper applies a systematic approach to meticulously select and analyze twelve scholarly articles dated from 2010 or after. The methodology involved the creation of a comprehensive database organizing and systematizing the relevant data, so offering a robust foundation for the exploration of theoretical approaches and constructs related to sustainability transitions, path creation, and opportunity space. Drawing from the field of evolutionary economic geography, the paper emphasizes key contributions from this theoretical perspective. A common thread identified across these concepts is the pivotal role of change agency. The paper concludes by underlining the contributions of sustainability transitions, path creation, and opportunity space to sustainable development policy, providing insights into their potential impact on shaping a more sustainable and resilient future.

Author Biography

Daniel Avendaño-Leadem, Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica

Currently, he is an academic at the School of Geographic Sciences of the National University, Costa Rica. Geographer with master's degrees from the University of Greenwich, England and HafenCity Universität Hamburg, Germany. PhD candidate in Economic Policy from CINPE-UNA.

References

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Coenen, L., Benneworth, P., & Truffer, B. (2012). Toward a spatial perspective on sustainability transitions. Research Policy, 41, 968– 979. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2012.02.014

Garud, R., Kumaraswamy, A., & Karnøe, P. (2010). Path Dependence or Path Creation? Journal of Management Studies, 47(4), 760-774. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2009.00914.x

Gregory, D., Johnston, R., Pratt, G., Watts, M., & Whatmore, S. (2009). The Dictionary of Human Geography (V ed.). Hoboken: Wiley-Blackwell.

Grillitsch, M., Asheim, B., Isaksen, A., & Nielsen, H. (2022). Advancing the treatment of human agency in the analysis of regional economic development: Illustrated with three Norwegian cases. Growth and Change, 53, 248-275. https://doi.org/10.1111/grow.12583

Grillitsch, M., & Sotarauta, M. (2020). Trinity of change agency, regional development paths. Progress in Human Geography, 44(4), 704-723. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309132519853870

Hansen, T., & Coenen, L. (2015). The geography of sustainability transitions: Review, synthesis and reflections on an emergent research field. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 17, 92-109. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2014.11.001

Harvey, D. (2006). Spaces of global capitalism: Towards a theory of uneven geographical development. London: Verso.

Huggins, R., & Thompson, P. (2022). Human agency, network dynamics and regional development: the behavioural principles of new path creation. Regional Studies, 57(8). https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2022.2060958

Kurikka, H., Kolehmainen, J., Sotarauta, M., Nielsen, H., & Nilsson, M. (2022). Regional opportunity spaces – observations from Nordic regions. Regional Studies, 57(8). https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2022.2107630

MacKinnon, D., Dawley, S., Pike, A., & Cumbers, A. (2019). Rethinking Path Creation: A Geographical Political Economy Approach. Economic Geography, 95(2), 113-135. https://doi.org/10.1080/00130095.2018.1498294

Martin, R., & Sunley, P. (2006). Path dependence and regional economic evolution. Journal of Economic Geography, 6(4), 395-437. https://doi.org/10.1093/jeg/lbl012

Massey, D. (2005). For space. London: Sage.

Mintrom, M., & Rogers, B. (2022). How can we drive sustainability transitions? Policy design and practice, 5(3), 294-306. https://doi.org/10.1080/25741292.2022.2057835

Rinkinen, S., Konsti-Laakso, S., & Lahikainen, K. (2023). University as an opportunity space enabler in a regional entrepreneurial ecosystem. European Planning Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2023.2246522

Steen, M. (2016). Reconsidering path creation in economic geography: aspects of agency, temporality and methods. European Planning Studies, 24(9), 1605-1622. https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2016.1204427

Truffer, B., & Coenen, L. (2012). Environmental Innovation and Sustainability Transitions in Regional Studies. Regional Studies, 46(1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2012.646164

Published

2024-06-30

How to Cite

Unraveling Sustainability Transitions, Path Creation, and Opportunity Space for Sustainable Development Policy: A Conceptual Literature Review. (2024). Revista De Política Económica Y Desarrollo Sostenible, 9(2), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.15359/peds.9-2.3

Issue

Section

Artículos científicos (Sección arbitrada)

How to Cite

Unraveling Sustainability Transitions, Path Creation, and Opportunity Space for Sustainable Development Policy: A Conceptual Literature Review. (2024). Revista De Política Económica Y Desarrollo Sostenible, 9(2), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.15359/peds.9-2.3

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