Innovation and institutional change: the transition to a sustainable ...

38 Chapter 2
Figure 2.3 Model of analysis for consumption practices (Spaargaren, 2000:
327).
In his thesis he explores social practices of consumers both from the analysis
of strategic conduct as well as through institutional analysis. This is relevant
as the role of citizen-consumers is, according to Van Vliet, underrated in the
study of technological change. Based on assumptions derived from
ecological modernization theory he analyses several case studies of
monitoring and differentiation as an expression of environment induced
change in network bound systems and particularly the way consumption is
connected to modes of provision. The duality of structure is especially
visible through the focus on system of provision. Consumption practices are
partly shaped (or constrained) by systems of provision enabling them. User’s
routines are shaped by the technological system but this does not imply that
user preferences are fixed, only that it is very difficult to change them as
they are interwoven within the system. Thus the central station electricity
system 7 with monopolistic organisation has shaped captive, passive
consumers. Van Vliet stresses the significance of electricity as relying on an
expert system, where a shift to another system cannot take place because of
7 Electricity generation in a number of central, often large-scale, production facilities and
transmission and distribution through an extensive infrastructure to users.