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The destabilisation of the German electricity industry (1998-2015): Application and extension of a multi-dimensional framework

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  • Kungl, Gregor
  • Geels, Frank W.

Abstract

This article aims to explain the rapid destabilisation of the German electricity industry between 1998 and 2015. The longitudinal case study uses analytical categories from a multi-dimensional framework, which emphasises the importance of external pressures on the industry (both techno-economic and socio-political) and firm-level response strategies (technical innovation, economic positioning, cultural framing, corporate political strategies). We also extend the framework by investigating the effects of different kinds and temporal sequence of external pressures, and the role of industry heterogeneity in shaping response strategies. The case study uses a wide range of primary sources (interviews with high-level managers, press releases, annual reports, newspapers) and secondary sources (quantitative statistics, academic articles, books) to develop a comprehensive, multi-dimensional explanation of the destabilisation process.

Suggested Citation

  • Kungl, Gregor & Geels, Frank W., 2016. "The destabilisation of the German electricity industry (1998-2015): Application and extension of a multi-dimensional framework," Research Contributions to Organizational Sociology and Innovation Studies, SOI Discussion Papers 2016-02, University of Stuttgart, Institute for Social Sciences, Department of Organizational Sociology and Innovation Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:stusoi:201602
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    Cited by:

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    3. Dolata, Ulrich, 2018. "Privatisierung, Kuratierung, Kommodifizierung: Kommerzielle Plattformen im Internet," Research Contributions to Organizational Sociology and Innovation Studies, SOI Discussion Papers 2018-04, University of Stuttgart, Institute for Social Sciences, Department of Organizational Sociology and Innovation Studies.
    4. Dolata, Ulrich, 2020. "Internet – Plattformen – Regulierung: Koordination von Märkten und Kuratierung von Sozialität," Research Contributions to Organizational Sociology and Innovation Studies, SOI Discussion Papers 2020-01, University of Stuttgart, Institute for Social Sciences, Department of Organizational Sociology and Innovation Studies.
    5. Fettke, Ulrike, 2018. "Etablierte und Außenseiter in der Kommunalpolitik? Eine Fallstudie zu Windkraft in einer badenwürttembergischen Kleinstadt," Research Contributions to Organizational Sociology and Innovation Studies, SOI Discussion Papers 2018-03, University of Stuttgart, Institute for Social Sciences, Department of Organizational Sociology and Innovation Studies.
    6. Dolata, Ulrich, 2017. "Social movements and the Internet: The sociotechnical constitution of collective action," Research Contributions to Organizational Sociology and Innovation Studies, SOI Discussion Papers 2017-02, University of Stuttgart, Institute for Social Sciences, Department of Organizational Sociology and Innovation Studies.
    7. Schreyer, Jasmin, 2020. "Sharing ≠ Sharing Economy: Ausprägungen der digitalen Sharing Economy im Lebensmittelsektor," Research Contributions to Organizational Sociology and Innovation Studies, SOI Discussion Papers 2020-03, University of Stuttgart, Institute for Social Sciences, Department of Organizational Sociology and Innovation Studies.

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