The Transformative Capacity of Public Sector Organisations in Sustainability Transitions

Susana Borrás*, Stine Haakonsson, Christian Hendriksen, Francesco Gerli, René Taudal Poulsen, Trine Pallesen, Lucas Somavilla Croxatto, Susanna Kugelberg, Henrik Larsen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

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Abstract

Public sector organisations (PSOs) such as municipalities, regulatory bodies, and public utilities are key actors in sustainability transitions. However, the conceptualisation of their transformative capacity is underdeveloped, as several strands of literature pay attention to the topic but remain disjointed. The article takes stock of the literature, reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of the main approaches. Building from there, the article proposes a higher-order holistic conceptual framework based on three constitutive elements: roles, resources, and abilities. We conceptualise the transformative capacity of a public sector organisation as the interaction between its roles, resources, and abilities in the enactment of its transformative agency. This framework offers a granular analytical approach for future empirical studies, acknowledging the diversity of PSOs and sustainability transitions pathways. It also offers practical clues for more targeted efforts to build transformative capacity in PSOs, which is crucial for accelerating transitions.
Original languageEnglish
Article number100904
JournalEnvironmental Innovation and Societal Transitions
Volume53
Number of pages24
ISSN2210-4224
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2024

Keywords

  • Sustainability transitions
  • Public administration
  • Green sustainability
  • Capacity
  • Dynamic capabilities
  • Bureaucracy

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