Chapter 26: Systems thinking and complexity in transitions research: Understanding system dynamics, feedback loops, and non-linear change

Abstract

This chapter examines how complexity science and systems thinking approaches can enhance our understanding of sustainability  transitions. The chapter provides a cursory review on how the sustainability transitions literature builds on other systems approaches, particularly complex systems approaches and system dynamics. It outlines the conceptual link of these approaches to the main theoretical sustainability transitions frameworks and describes the extent to which the former are the source of insights that have been applied and have informed the latter. The chapter first explores how systems thinking has informed our conceptualization of  socio-technical systems and innovation systems. We then examine how complexity science and system dynamics approaches help  us understand transition dynamics, particularly through concepts like path dependence, feedback loops, and emergent behaviour. Finally, we discuss and illustrate through specific case studies the practical application of these approaches in transition research and policy-making. By understanding systems approaches, researchers can better grasp how different elements of transitions interact and how these interactions influence transition processes. For early career researchers, this chapter provides systems thinking tools for transitions analysis. 

Keywords: sociotechnical transitions, systems thinking, system dynamics