Image credit: Gencraft
What is a Strategic Action Field (SAF)?
Strategic Action Fields (SAFs) [1] are meso-level social orders where various actors—established players, challengers, and sometimes governance units—interact, compete, and collaborate. These fields are characterized by ongoing power struggles, negotiations, and cooperation, leading to the creation of new norms, practices, and institutional arrangements. In the context of societal and technological changes, SAFs can provide a framework for understanding how different sectors converge and evolve through the actions of socially skilled actors who navigate and shape these complex interactions.
Transforming Energy: From Living Labs to Strategic Action Fields, the Example of Germany
In the face of global climate challenges, the transformation of energy systems has become imperative. In the example of Germany, the country’s innovative approach to this transformation is setting a benchmark by bringing together energy, mobility, and Information Technology. In a 2017 [2] study, scientists explore how living labs are evolving into strategic action fields, fostering intersectoral collaboration and innovation.
The Power of Living Labs
Living labs serve as experimental spaces where new technologies and business models can be developed and tested in real-world settings. In the case example of Germany [2], these labs are not just places for technical experimentation but are becoming crucial nodes of interaction between different industries. The integration of renewable energy systems, transportation, and information and communication technologies (ICT) is creating dynamic intersectoral fields, driven by the need for digitalization and interconnectivity.
Emergence of Strategic Action Fields
The SAF framework provides a structured way to understand these new intersectoral dynamics. In the context of Germany’s energy transformation, SAFs are emerging from the convergence of energy, mobility, and ICT sectors, facilitated by living labs. The key insights from the study highlight the critical aspects of this transformation.
Key Insights from the Study
Intersectoral Innovation
Living labs are breeding grounds for cross-field innovation. At an innovation campus in Berlin, various actors from the energy, transportation, and ICT sectors collaborate to develop new technologies and business models. This collaboration is crucial for achieving the country’s ambitious energy transition goals.
Role of Socially Skilled Actors
The emergence of SAFs is significantly influenced by socially skilled actors. These individuals act as “border crossers,” facilitating interactions and collaborations between different sectors. Their ability to navigate and connect diverse fields is essential for the development of cohesive and effective intersectoral strategies.
Tension Between Cooperation and Competition
While cooperation is necessary for technological advancement, there is also a competitive dynamic at play. Smaller start-ups and larger corporations both participate in living labs, leading to a mix of collaboration and rivalry. This tension is a driving force behind innovation but also poses challenges for creating stable and sustainable intersectoral fields.
Global and Local Dynamics
The 2017 [2] study underscores the importance of both global trends and local initiatives in shaping energy transitions. Global movements towards decarbonization and sustainability provide a favorable backdrop, while local innovation sites like the Berlin campus act as practical testing grounds for new ideas and technologies.
Implications for Policy and Practice
The transformation from living labs to SAFs has significant implications for policymakers, businesses, and researchers. For policymakers, it highlights the need to create and support experimental spaces where new models of cooperation and innovation can be tested without immediate market pressures. Businesses must recognize the importance of participating in these collaborative environments to stay at the forefront of technological advancements. Researchers can use the SAF framework to better understand the complexities of intersectoral interactions and the factors driving innovation.
Conclusion
An approach to integrating energy, mobility, and ICT through living labs and SAFs, such as in the example of Germany, provides valuable lessons for other countries grappling with energy transitions. By fostering collaboration across sectors and supporting socially skilled actors, it is possible to create dynamic, innovative environments that drive progress towards sustainable energy systems.
References
[1] Fligstein, N., & McAdam, D. (2011). Toward a General Theory of Strategic Action Fields. Sociological Theory, 29(1), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9558.2010.01385.x
[2] Canzler, W., Engels, F., Rogge, J.-C., Simon, D., & Wentland, A. (2017). From “living lab” to strategic action field: Bringing together energy, mobility, and Information Technology in Germany. Energy Research & Social Science, 27, 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2017.02.003