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Intermediaries and the Governance of Sociotechnical Networks in Transition

Author

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  • Timothy Moss

    (Leibniz Institute for Regional Development and Structural Planning (IRS), Flakenstrasse 28-31, 15537 Erkner, Germany)

Abstract

The author makes the case for studying intermediary organisations as a window on the shifting governance of water and energy services in Europe today. He explores the notion of intermediaries and intermediation in a wide range of literatures and demonstrates how the governance concept can provide focus to the term, indicating how intermediaries can influence the pursuit of collective goals under shifting governance structures and processes. Against this conceptual backdrop, the author sets out the key governance challenges emerging from the ongoing transformation of sociotechnical systems (addressing water and energy services) in terms of changing relations between the state and the utility, between service provider and user, between infrastructure and urban systems, and between infrastructure and the environment. Empirical illustration of the emergence of intermediaries in the water sector across Europe, the relational nature of their work, the interests they pursue, and the impacts they are having is provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Timothy Moss, 2009. "Intermediaries and the Governance of Sociotechnical Networks in Transition," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 41(6), pages 1480-1495, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:41:y:2009:i:6:p:1480-1495
    DOI: 10.1068/a4116
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maria Kaika & Erik Swyngedouw, 2000. "Fetishizing the modern city: the phantasmagoria of urban technological networks," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(1), pages 120-138, March.
    2. Matthew Gandy, 2004. "Rethinking urban metabolism: water, space and the modern city," City, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(3), pages 363-379, December.
    3. Moss, Timothy & Wissen, Markus, 2005. "Making senses of diversity. A synergy report on an inventory of 113 intermediary organisations of water management in Europe," IRS Working Papers 29, Leibniz Institute for Research on Society and Space (IRS).
    4. Simon Guy & Stephen Graham & Simon Marvin, 1996. "Privatized Utilities and Regional Governance: The New Regional Managers?," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(8), pages 733-739.
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    Cited by:

    1. Clarke, Ian & Klerkx, Laurens & Ramirez, Matias, 2016. "Learning and innovation in developing economy clusters: Comparing private and non-profit intermediaries in cluster governance," Greenwich Papers in Political Economy 16712, University of Greenwich, Greenwich Political Economy Research Centre.
    2. Kivimaa, Paula & Boon, Wouter & Hyysalo, Sampsa & Klerkx, Laurens, 2019. "Towards a typology of intermediaries in sustainability transitions: A systematic review and a research agenda," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(4), pages 1062-1075.
    3. 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.
    4. Kim, Yeon-Su & Bae, Jae Soo & Fisher, Larry A. & Latifah, Sitti & Afifi, Mansur & Lee, Soo Min & Kim, In-Ae, 2016. "Indonesia's Forest Management Units: Effective intermediaries in REDD+ implementation?," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 69-77.
    5. Silvia Blasi & Silvia Rita Sedita, 2020. "The diffusion of a policy innovation in the energy sector: evidence from the collective switching case in Europe," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(6), pages 680-704, June.
    6. Huber-Stearns, Heidi R. & Goldstein, Joshua H. & Duke, Esther A., 2013. "Intermediary roles and payments for ecosystem services: A typology and program feasibility application in Panama," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 6(C), pages 104-116.
    7. Jutta Günther & Dirk Meissner, 2017. "Clusters as Innovative Melting Pots?—the Meaning of Cluster Management for Knowledge Diffusion in Clusters," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 8(2), pages 499-512, June.
    8. Peltomaa, Juha & Hildén, Mikael & Huttunen, Suvi, 2016. "Translating institutional change - forest journals as diverse policy actors," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 172-180.
    9. Beau Warbroek & Thomas Hoppe, 2017. "Modes of Governing and Policy of Local and Regional Governments Supporting Local Low-Carbon Energy Initiatives; Exploring the Cases of the Dutch Regions of Overijssel and Fryslân," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-36, January.
    10. Beau Warbroek & Thomas Hoppe & Frans Coenen & Hans Bressers, 2018. "The Role of Intermediaries in Supporting Local Low-Carbon Energy Initiatives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-28, July.

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