Shaping selection environments for industrial catch-up and sustainability transitions : A systemic perspective on endogenizing windows of opportunity

摘要: Abstract Transitioning economic sectors towards more sustainable futures is a major global challenge, in particular for non-OECD countries. Policymakers these countries are confronted with double challenge: how to implement cleaner technologies and infrastructures while at the same time promoting rapid industrial development. In catch-up studies, this trade-off has been increasingly interpreted as providing windows of opportunity gaining strong leadership new generations cleantech industries. paper, we maintain that order specify can be endogenized, deeper understanding needed about whether, by whom directionality innovation systems influenced. For purpose, propose an analytical approach draws on technological system framework extending current two ways: first, complement prevalent top-down perspective bottom-up view exemplified institutional entrepreneurship literature. Second, posit focus shifted from manufacturing single transformation entire socio-technical systems. The presented validated case study recent shifts dominant technology China’s urban water management sector. Major changes country’s sectoral selection environment led membrane bioreactor become design – development unmatched any other country world. Owing transformations, firms outcompete multinational players therefore they show potentials leapfrogging. However, although promise solve environmental problems played decisive role shaping environment, it remains unclear whether observed leads way sector structure longer run. case, however, still enables us endogenized through interplay different actors trying shape layers specific