Innovation-led transformation of socio-technical systems: Strategic Niche Management [FS 20]

When innovation-based processes are used to address and attempt to solve major societal challenges, the aim is to change entire socio-technical systems, consisting of a multitude of interconnected and interdependent actors, institutions and technologies. This type of change also requires a different approach, one that departs from the individual innovation-centric approach of traditional, business-oriented innovation management. One potential approach to evaluate and engage system change is through the field of Transition Studies, which consists of several strands of research, one of which is the Strategic Niche Management (SNM) approach. SNM is both an analytical tool and a policy development and management tool, focusing on developing potentially radical innovations in protected spaces (niches) until they are ready to compete in the open market.