How ‘within-regime’ tensions can create windows of opportunity for new mobility services

Abstract

Often described as a difficult sector to transition, mobility has been the focus of much research within sustainability transitions. In transition studies, a window of opportunity (WoO) for new technologies often results from exogenous developments. This study draws on the political science perspective of multilevel governance to conceptualise mechanisms that create WoOs. Examining the introduction of two emerging mobility technologies (e-scooters and mobility-as-a-service), we argue that within-regime tensions arising from existing multi-tiered institutions and policies may contain latent WoOs. Our findings suggest that how a new technology is positioned vis-à-vis established institutions affects its ability to reach market. Actors that position new technology against a different tier of government than those who are embedded with existing technologies face less opposition during introduction. Moreover, because digital technologies are less scale dependant, such technologies may allow actors more freedom concerning how they position their service in relation to the established institutions.

How ‘within-regime’ tensions can create windows of opportunity for new mobility services