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  4. Catalysts for Connection: An Individual Actor-level Perspective on Intermediary Roles in Sustainability Transitions

Catalysts for Connection: An Individual Actor-level Perspective on Intermediary Roles in Sustainability Transitions

File(s)
Kay_cornell_0058O_11455.pdf (1.52 MB)
Permanent Link(s)
https://doi.org/10.7298/4kbh-p261
https://hdl.handle.net/1813/111624
Collections
Cornell Theses and Dissertations
Author
Kay, Frieda
Abstract

Intermediaries are essential in sustainability transitions. These “in-between” actors broker relationships, transfer information, coordinate processes, and configure outcomes within sociotechnical systems. While existing literature primarily frames intermediaries as organizational actors, this thesis responds to calls for more individual-actor perspectives within transitions research, and thus reframes intermediaries as individuals to illustrate the importance of the people who play these connecting roles. This qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews identifies individual intermediaries within the empirical context of New York State’s energy transition. Four intermediary roles—Bridgers, Conduits, Aligners, and Shapers—are developed to conceptualize specific relational actions and functions. Intermediaries are enabled by multiple individual attributes and contextual factors, emphasizing the importance of both subjectivity and structure to this functional role. By making explicit this otherwise unarticulated individual intermediary role, these findings provide the basis to recognize and support individual intermediary actors, whose micro-level actions provide key relational infrastructure to catalyze and sustain transformative change.

Description
197 pages
Date Issued
2022-05
Committee Chair
Stedman, Richard Clark
Committee Member
Reed, Patrick Michael
Forester, John F.
Degree Discipline
Natural Resources
Degree Name
M.S., Natural Resources
Degree Level
Master of Science
Type
dissertation or thesis
Link(s) to Catalog Record
https://newcatalog.library.cornell.edu/catalog/15530054

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