Material matters: recommendations for the analysis of relational spaces in sociotechnical transition studies

Lykouras, Ioannis; Mora, Luca

Abstract

This Opinion Paper examines the interplay between materiality, relational spaces, and technological change dynamics. The objective is to introduce a novel theoretical perspective and a structured analytical process designed to enrich the investigation of relational spaces within the context of sociotechnical transitions. Our perspective aims to help transition scholars integrate the often-overlooked importance of material arrangements with the analyses of material flows and social components. We interpret this integration as a morphological approach to the analysis of relational spaces. The development of our perspective is grounded in a thorough review of existing literature on transition studies, complemented by the application of the theory of space constitution. Through our theoretical contribution, we advance the spatial discourse in transition studies, offering the means required to produce novel insights into how diverse social and material dimensions of spatial contexts affect, and are affected by, sociotechnical transition pathways and the technological change they produce.

Citation

Lykouras, I., & Mora, L. (2025). Material matters: recommendations for the analysis of relational spaces in sociotechnical transition studies. Technology in Society, 80, Article 102764. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2024.102764

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 19, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Nov 20, 2024
• Publication Date: 2025-03
• Deposit Date: Nov 22, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 22, 2024
• Print ISSN: 0160-791X
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 80
• Article Number: 102764
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2024.102764
• Keywords: Sociotechnical transitions, Technological change, Relational space, Morphological approach, Spatial context, Materiality