Three-level Perspective for Analyzing Changes in Socio-technical Regimes - Case Electric Mobility

When talking about changes caused by new emerging technologies, the focus is often very strongly on technology itself. Depending on the novelty of the technology and its transitions, its effects on the society and the societal functions are taken into minor account. A model of socio-technical change, developed by Frank W. Geels takes into account these socio-technical configurations in a multi-level framework. Electric mobility is a current example of an on-going socio-technical transition. The socio-technical framework well describes the electric mobility as a socio-technical change with multidimensional interactions. This transition will have effects on many societal functions related to personal transportation and the transport of goods. The change is in a very early phase, and that is why it is vitally important to increase the understanding of the phenomenon, dimensions affecting it and mechanisms for controlling the change. This paper describes a three-level perspective for analyzing the changes in case of electric mobility. Because the changes are slow and complex having a lot of uncertainties, new business and collaboration models are needed.