TY - JOUR
T1 - The interconnected dynamics of social practices and their implications for transformative change: A review
AU - Klitkou, Antje
AU - Bolwig, Simon
AU - Huber, Andreas
AU - Ingeborgrud, Lina
AU - Pluciński, Przemysław
AU - Rohracher, Harald
AU - Schartinger, Doris
AU - Thiene, Mara
AU - Zuk, Piotr
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - This review article analyses the interconnectedness of different fields of social practice. Our aim is to understand
if and how the literature using social practice theory addresses these interrelations and how this is linked to ques-
tions of sustainability transformations. Based on our review, we suggest a framework that conceives everyday-
life practices of working, dwelling, mobility, eating, and recreation as closely intertwined and not changing inde-
pendently of each other. As our analysis demonstrates, such a framing also contributes to better understanding
the dynamics of (un)sustainable transformative change. Greater sustainability cannot be achieved by technolog-
ical fixes or changes in individual behaviour alone but requires comprehensive interventions that address the in-
teractions between practices, as these often co-evolve and co-locate, and changes need to be aligned between
different practice fields. This has high relevance for understanding the development of public policy interven-
tions that aim to increase the sustainability of everyday life. Our review shows a significant value of social practice
research on the interconnectedness of different practice fields, although certain areas still appear to be somewhat
neglected, such as the interconnectedness of work-related practices with other practices of everyday life. It fur-
thermore points to the potential contribution of studies of interconnected practices to the literature on sustain-
ability transitions, a perspective otherwise neglected in transition studies focusing on organisational actors and institutional dimensions of socio-technical change.
AB - This review article analyses the interconnectedness of different fields of social practice. Our aim is to understand
if and how the literature using social practice theory addresses these interrelations and how this is linked to ques-
tions of sustainability transformations. Based on our review, we suggest a framework that conceives everyday-
life practices of working, dwelling, mobility, eating, and recreation as closely intertwined and not changing inde-
pendently of each other. As our analysis demonstrates, such a framing also contributes to better understanding
the dynamics of (un)sustainable transformative change. Greater sustainability cannot be achieved by technolog-
ical fixes or changes in individual behaviour alone but requires comprehensive interventions that address the in-
teractions between practices, as these often co-evolve and co-locate, and changes need to be aligned between
different practice fields. This has high relevance for understanding the development of public policy interven-
tions that aim to increase the sustainability of everyday life. Our review shows a significant value of social practice
research on the interconnectedness of different practice fields, although certain areas still appear to be somewhat
neglected, such as the interconnectedness of work-related practices with other practices of everyday life. It fur-
thermore points to the potential contribution of studies of interconnected practices to the literature on sustain-
ability transitions, a perspective otherwise neglected in transition studies focusing on organisational actors and institutional dimensions of socio-technical change.
KW - Social practice theory
KW - Sustainable transformation
KW - Interconnectedness of social practices
KW - Social practice theory
KW - Sustainable transformation
KW - Interconnectedness of social practices
U2 - 10.1016/j.spc.2022.03.027
DO - 10.1016/j.spc.2022.03.027
M3 - Article
SN - 2352-5509
VL - 31
SP - 603
EP - 614
JO - Sustainable Production and Consumption
JF - Sustainable Production and Consumption
ER -