Governance and Experimentation

Governance and Experimentation: a study on key mechanisms to facilitate learning processes in mobility transition experiments

Toering, Arnoud (TU Delft Technology, Policy and Management; TU Delft Multi Actor Systems; TU Delft Values Technology and Innovation)

de Bruijne, M.L.C. (mentor)
van de Poel, I.R. (graduation committee)
Lapré, Laurens (mentor)

Delft University of Technology

Complex Systems Engineering and Management (CoSEM)

2020-03-19

Pilots, or transition experiments, are widely regarded as a means to learn more about how to tackle societal challenges. This leads to a crucial role for double-loop learning, which involves modifying the existing norms, policies and objectives. Without double-loop learning, the transition experiments will be constrained in their influence. However, there is currently a lack of knowledge on how to facilitate, guide and support learning processes in transition experiments. This leads to impeded progress for the client, consortium and national government, due to lost opportunities. Therefore, the following research question is formulated: What key governance mechanisms, focused on starting conditions or design and organization, facilitate double-loop learning in mobility transition experiments? Two case studies are conducted, using desk research and semi-structured interviews, with each case study being characterized by its decision-making process. The results of this study indicate that i) involving different perspectives, such as the client, consortium and national government, are of added value to the development of learning processes and ii) paying attention to the identified conditions will provide further support. It is recommended to put more emphasis on the ability of pilots to generate knowledge on what facilitates learning processes and to center the discussion of knowledge building on research protocols. It is expected that enhanced research protocols will provide the groundwork for generating more practical knowledge in this area. This will support the development of recommendations for different stakeholders on ways to facilitate learning processes.

Governance
Experimentation
Transition Experiment
Learning
Methodology

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:7149cafa-f53a-4ac9-89ab-f693c603747d

2022-03-05

Student theses

master thesis

© 2020 Arnoud Toering