The role of regulation for socio-technical transformations

Regulation is essential for socio-technical transformations but has not yet been analyzed systematically and in depth in this context. Based on a literature review, six policy intervention points for the transformation of socio-technical systems are used to structure the potential contributions of different types of regulation, classified into institutional, social, and economic regulation. Insights from the literature and anecdotal evidence reveal that various kinds of regulation can play an essential role in niche stimulation. Other types of regulation are more effective for destabilizing whole regimes and addressing possible repercussions. Rigorous regulatory framework conditions can be crucial in tilting the entire landscape. The chapter concludes with limitations addressing the critical role of self-regulation via standards, the international dimension of regulations, and anticipatory regulation, for example, via regulatory foresight and regulatory sandboxes.