Sustainability Transitions and Industrial Transformation: Multi-Sector Dynamics and Policy Perspectives | 2026
Authors: John N.; Wesseling J.; Frenken K.
DOI: 10.1007/978-981-95-4893-4_16
Journal: Sustainability Transitions and Industrial Transformation: Multi-Sector Dynamics and Policy Perspectives
Year: 2026
Publisher: Springer Nature
Document Type: Book chapter
Open Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access
Cited by: 0
Policymakers are increasingly prioritizing twin transitions of digitalization and sustainability. However, recent academic literature indicates these transitions are often misaligned. This study contributes by constructing a policy framework based on sustainability transitions theory and technological innovation systems. We specify short-and long-term policy goals, intervention logics, and associated instruments that enhance alignment and prevent misalignment in twin transitions within industrial contexts. We present a technological and a socio-institutional approach that culminate into four complementary policy intervention logics. The technological approach influences the application areas of digital technologies to either directly yield sustainability gains (logic 1) or direct these technologies towards overcoming persistent barriers to sustainable innovation (logic 2). The socio-institutional approach addresses common barriers to digital and sustainable innovation for effective policy prioritization (logic 3). It also uses the unique system dynamics of Digital Innovation Systems to mitigate risks and leverage opportunities related to sustainable innovation barriers (logic 4). This framework is applied in a qualitative analysis of energy-intensive processing industries in the Netherlands. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2026.
Public policy; Sustainable development; Academic literature; Digital innovations; Institutional approaches; Long-term policies; Policy framework; Policy makers; Processing industry; Sustainability transition; Technological innovation systems; Transition theories; Alignment