Käsbohrer, Andrea ; Hansen, Teis ; Zademach, Hans-Martin (2024): Multi-system interactions and institutional work: Actor interactions at the interface of residential storage systems and electric vehicles in Germany, Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, doi: 10.1016/j.eist.2024.100844
Multi-system transitions are receiving increasing attention within transition research. However, understanding the interactions occurring between multiple socio-technical systems requires further research on agency played out by heterogeneous actors. In response, this paper emphasizes institutional work as modulating factor for changing system boundaries. Highlighting the symbiotic and competitive dimension of institutional work helps to explain the reconfiguration of system boundaries towards increasing linkages or frictions. In-depth interviews with energy and automobile sector experts and participant observation of industry associations show how symbiotic practices carried out (collaboratively) by actors from both industries result in mutually beneficial institutional conditions and linkages, whereas competitive activities lead to disruption in market roles and shares. Interdependency between the two sectors and market uncertainties are found to be further influencing factors. Whereas the former enhances the willingness to cooperate when engaging in institutional work, the latter makes it difficult to reconcile differing interests and, thus, accelerate transitions.