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Institutional work in the transformation of the German energy sector

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  • Graf, Patricia
  • Jacobsen, Heike

Abstract

Two European and German policies – one transitioning to sustainable energy and the other enhancing competition – strained the German electricity sector's organizational structures, which had been designed for network stability and a secure supply. Digital technologies and the new business models were important factors in these changes. Based on qualitative interviews, we analyze how changes caused by liberalization and energy-transition policies are related to the internal organizational changes at publicly owned energy providers. While some companies legitimate new forms of work organization and employment, thereby disrupting old institutions, others block internal change with reference to the external institutional framework.

Suggested Citation

  • Graf, Patricia & Jacobsen, Heike, 2021. "Institutional work in the transformation of the German energy sector," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:juipol:v:68:y:2021:i:c:s0957178720301016
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jup.2020.101107
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wissner, Matthias, 2011. "ICT, growth and productivity in the German energy sector - On the way to a smart grid?," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 19(1), pages 14-19, January.
    2. Roth, Ines, 2018. "Digitalisierung in der Energiewirtschaft: Technologische Trends und ihre Auswirkungen auf Arbeit und Qualifizierung," Working Paper Forschungsförderung 073, Hans-Böckler-Stiftung, Düsseldorf.
    3. Sarasini, Steven, 2013. "Institutional work and climate change: Corporate political action in the Swedish electricity industry," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 480-489.
    4. T. Lawrence & R. Suddaby & B. Leca, 2011. "Institutional work - Re-focusing institutional studies of organization," Post-Print hal-00802293, HAL.
    5. Mautz, Rüdiger & Rosenbaum, Wolf, 2012. "Der deutsche Stromsektor im Spannungsfeld energiewirtschaftlicher Umbaumodelle," WSI-Mitteilungen, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 65(2), pages 85-93.
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    Cited by:

    1. Radtke, Jörg & Scherhaufer, Patrick, 2022. "A social science perspective on conflicts in the energy transition: An introduction to the special issue," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    2. Trahan, Ryan Thomas & Hess, David J., 2022. "Will power be local? The role of local power organizations in energy transition acceleration," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    3. Pedrini, Giulio & Cappiello, Giuseppe, 2022. "The impact of training on labour productivity in the European utilities sector: An empirical analysis," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).

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