Cumulative processes in multi-system transitions
Expanding value chains and limits to growth for sustainable alternatives
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19486458 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Thomas Magnusson (0000-0002-3164-6352, Linköping University, corresponding author), Wisdom Kanda (0000-0002-9445-6177, Linköping University), Hans Andersson (0000-0002-2787-8417, Linköping University), Sofia Dahlgren (0000-0001-5643-7680, Linköping University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 60 |
| Pages | 101124 |
| Publication date | 2026-06-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2210-4224 • E-ISSN: 2210-4232 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.eist.2026.101124 |
| OpenAlex | W7134135611 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 51 |
Longitudinal analysis of the evolution of biomethane in Sweden. • Linkage systems connect upstream and downstream systems in new value chains. • Niche accumulation in downstream systems comes with cumulative upstream processes. • Different systems follow distinct yet complementary transition pathways. • Raises critical questions about the limits to growth for sustainable alternatives. This paper examines the long-term evolution of biomethane in Sweden as a case of a multi-system transition, involving interactions across several sociotechnical systems over more than three decades. Biomethane is conceptualized as a linkage system that connects different systems through a new value chain configuration. The analysis shows that additional systems were gradually incorporated, leading to a continuous expansion of the value chain. While the overall transition is characterized by cross-system reconfiguration, the individual systems exhibit distinct yet complementary transition pathways, including new system emergence, transformation, and substitution. The paper argues that the niche accumulation associated with substitution in downstream systems must be accompanied by cumulative processes in upstream systems to meet increasing demand. This expansion has important implications for sustainability assessments. The paper concludes that cumulative growth in expanding value chains raises critical questions regarding resource availability and limits to growth for sustainable alternatives
Sustainability · Sustainable development · Sustainable Growth Rate · Sustainable Value · Value (mathematics) · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance · Sustainable Industrial Ecology · Sustainable Supply Chain Management
Institutional dynamics and technology legitimacy – A framework and a case study on biogas technology
Multi-regime dynamics in the analysis of sectoral transformation potentials
The enactment of socio-technical transition pathways
A framework for analysis of multi-mode interaction among technologies with examples from the history of alternative transport fuels in Sweden
Analysis of complementarities
Niches in evolutionary theories of technical change
Niche accumulation and hybridisation strategies in transition processes towards a sustainable energy system
Transition pathways revisited
Strategies for Theorizing from Process Data
Sustainability transitions
The multi-level perspective on sustainability transitions
Mission-Oriented Transition Assessment as a reflective approach to mission governance
Frameworks for multi-system innovation analysis from a sociotechnical perspective
‘Lumpy’ technological innovation systems and net-zero transitions
Interactions between Sustainability assessment and Sustainability transitions research
Low-carbon electrification as a multi-system transition
Multi-system dynamics and the speed of net-zero transitions
Multi-system interactions in hydrogen-based sector coupling projects
A clash of socio-technical systems
Legitimising different futures
A reflexive perspective for sustainability assumptions in transition studies
Home field advantage
System interactions in socio-technical transitions
Actors in multi-sector transitions - discourse analysis on hydrogen in Germany
Shaping sustainable markets—A conceptual framework illustrated by the case of biogas in Sweden
Deep transitions
Engaging with multi-system interactions in sustainability transitions
Using dynamic capabilities to shape markets for alternative technologies
From efficiency to state entrepreneurialism
| Unique citing works | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 2 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2027 (2) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |