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  • © 2006

Understanding Industrial Transformation

Views from Different Disciplines

  • First attempt to integrate disciplinary views on the topic of transformations (or transitions) towards sustainability
  • Highlights current disciplinary thinking about transformations
  • Looks for common grounds, language and understanding of such a complex phenomenon as societal change and the scope for bringing about desirable change

Part of the book series: Environment & Policy (ENPO, volume 44)

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Table of contents (11 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages 1-16
  2. Introduction

    • Xander Olsthoorn, Anna J. Wieczorek
    Pages 1-11
  3. Sociological Perspectives for Industrial Transformation

    • Arthur P. J. Mol, Gert Spaargaren
    Pages 33-52
  4. Contributions to Transformation Research from Political Science

    • Klaus Jacob, Frank Biermann, Marleen van de Kerkhof, Anna J. Wieczorek
    Pages 75-97
  5. Ecologicl Economics and Industrial Trnasformation

    • Xander Olsthoorn, Onno Kuik
    Pages 99-117
  6. An Evolutionary Economics Perspective in Industrial Transformation

    • Jeroen C. J. M. van den Bergh, Marjan W. Hofkes, Frans H. Oosterhuis
    Pages 119-140
  7. A Neo-Classical Economic View on Technological Transitions

    • Frank A. G. den Butter, Marjan W. Hofkes
    Pages 141-162
  8. Managing Transitions for Sustainable Development

    • Derk Loorbach, Jan Rotmans
    Pages 187-206
  9. Discussion and Conclusions

    • Xander Olsthoorn, Anna J. Wieczorek, Adrian Smith
    Pages 207-223
  10. Back Matter

    Pages 225-226

About this book

'A system is just like truth's tail, but the truth is like a lizard. It will leave the tail in your hand and escape; it knows that it will soon grow another one.' [Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev (1818-1883), Letter, Paris, January 3, 1857, to Count Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy. Turgenev: Letters, ed. David]

...a scientist can only come to a partial understanding of industrial transformation processes. This is so not only because of the vastness of the topic, but because of the inherent limitations of each scientific discipline. The common ground, which scientists of different disciplines may endeavour to find when approaching some problem, is often slight.

A scientist entering such grounds runs the risk of getting lost, losing understanding and only catching the loose tail mentioned above. Secondly, sciences, to make a difference, must impress their importance upon the public and convince scientific and policy institutions in order to obtain the means to carryout their mission.

The editors consider that there has been progress, and that this book is a sign of such progress, and hope that it provides a further contribution to such advancement. Their hope is that this book will also foster co-operation among those approaching this area from dissimilar disciplines and scientific traditions, and that it will stimulate progress for all scientists advancing on the international road to global sustainability.

Editors and Affiliations

  • Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Xander Olsthoorn

  • Industrial Transformation Project (IT), International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change (IHDP), c/o Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Anna J. Wieczorek

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access