Multilevel Perspective
MLP or Multilevel Perspective consists of three types, which are reproduction, transformation, and transition. MLP was originally developed to understand transitions and regime shifts.
The basic ontology behind the MLP stems from the sociology of technology, where three interrelated dimensions are important:
(a) socio-technical systems, the tangible elements needed to fulfil societal functions;
(b) social groups who maintain and refine the elements of socio-technical systems; and
(c) rules (understood as regimes) that guide and orient activities of social groups
Reproduction
In this change process there are only dynamics at the regime level, not at the landscape and niche level. The existing socio-technical system and regime form a stable context for (inter)action of social groups. Existing rules are reproduced by the incumbent actors, and elements in the socio-technical system are refined.
The orientation of dominant actors, key technology, and knowledge base do not change fundamentally. There is incremental and cumulative change along trajectories. This is the normal situation at the regime level. As indicated earlier, there are many reasons why existing regimes and systems are stable (e.g. sunk investments, role expectations in networks, standards, contracts, cognitive routines).
This is dynamic stability, meaning that incremental innovations still occur. Incremental innovations in stable regimes are important, because, over time, they can accumulate and result in major performance improvements.
Transformation
In this change process there are interacting dynamics at the regime and landscape level, but litte influence from niches. The basic mechanism is that changes at the landscape level create pressure on the regime, leading to reorientation of the direction of innovative activities.
This happens through a change in the regime rules that coordinate actions of regime actors, e.g. changes in technical problem agendas, visions, goals and guiding principles, relative costs and incentive structures, regulations and perceptions of opportunities.
The adjustment and reorientation to external landscape pressure does not happen in a mechanical fashion, but through negotiations, power struggles, and shifting coalitions of actors. Because incumbent regime actors initially tend to downplay the need for transformation, a change in the social network is often important to start a transformation process.
Transition
A transition refers to a shift from one socio-technical system to another. It is not about the reorientation of an existing trajectory, but a shift to a new trajectory. An example is the transition from a transport system based on horse drawn carriages to a transport system based on automobiles.
This transition involved changes in the socio-technical system (e.g. technologies, knowledge base, infrastructure, regulations, user practices, cultural preferences), social groups, and regime rules. In a transition process there are interactions between dynamics at landscape, regime, and niche level. Landscape developments create pressure on the regime, leading to major problems. Regime actors react with adjustments in the system (as in the transformation process), but they are not able to solve the problems.
This creates a window of opportunity for new innovations, developed in niches and carried by a new network of social groups. If a new innovation breaks through and replaces the existing system, this will be accompanied by ‘creative destruction’ and the downfall of (some) incumbent actors. Once a transition has taken place, a new period of dynamic stability and reproduction sets in.