Incorporating insights from global production network and value chain research into the sustainability transitions field

Oliver Bugge Hunt; Kristoffer Marslev; Markus Steen; Teis Hansen; Ulrich Elmer Hansen

doi:10.1016/j.eist.2025.101094

Incorporating insights from global production network and value chain research into the sustainability transitions field

Oliver Bugge Hunt^*
, Kristoffer Marslev
, Markus Steen
, Teis Hansen
, Ulrich Elmer Hansen

^*Corresponding author for this work

University of Copenhagen
SINTEF

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

Abstract

The sustainability transitions (ST) field has benefited from the integration of theories and insights from various fields. In this perspective, we argue that the time is ripe to consider how insights from global production network (GPN) and global value chain (GVC) research can contribute to a new understanding and explanation of complex and multi-scalar transition processes and outcomes. With a modular theory building point of departure, we discuss three ST research areas in which elements from GPN/GVC’s meso‑level analytical toolkit can be integrated: industrial transformation, multi-system interactions, and just transitions.

Original language	English
Article number	101094
Journal	Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions
Volume	59
Number of pages	8
ISSN	2210-4224
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2025.101094
Publication status	Published - 2026

Keywords

Sustainability transitions
Economic geography
Global production networks
Governance
Just transitions

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10.1016/j.eist.2025.101094

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The industrial return on the green transition: Renewable energy in Vietnam (REturn)
Hansen, U. E. (PI)
02/10/2023 → 30/09/2028
Project: Research

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title = "Incorporating insights from global production network and value chain research into the sustainability transitions field",

abstract = "The sustainability transitions (ST) field has benefited from the integration of theories and insights from various fields. In this perspective, we argue that the time is ripe to consider how insights from global production network (GPN) and global value chain (GVC) research can contribute to a new understanding and explanation of complex and multi-scalar transition processes and outcomes. With a modular theory building point of departure, we discuss three ST research areas in which elements from GPN/GVC{\textquoteright}s meso‑level analytical toolkit can be integrated: industrial transformation, multi-system interactions, and just transitions.",

keywords = "Sustainability transitions, Economic geography, Global production networks, Governance, Just transitions",

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AU - Hunt, Oliver Bugge

AU - Marslev, Kristoffer

AU - Steen, Markus

AU - Hansen, Teis

AU - Hansen, Ulrich Elmer

PY - 2026

Y1 - 2026

N2 - The sustainability transitions (ST) field has benefited from the integration of theories and insights from various fields. In this perspective, we argue that the time is ripe to consider how insights from global production network (GPN) and global value chain (GVC) research can contribute to a new understanding and explanation of complex and multi-scalar transition processes and outcomes. With a modular theory building point of departure, we discuss three ST research areas in which elements from GPN/GVC’s meso‑level analytical toolkit can be integrated: industrial transformation, multi-system interactions, and just transitions.

AB - The sustainability transitions (ST) field has benefited from the integration of theories and insights from various fields. In this perspective, we argue that the time is ripe to consider how insights from global production network (GPN) and global value chain (GVC) research can contribute to a new understanding and explanation of complex and multi-scalar transition processes and outcomes. With a modular theory building point of departure, we discuss three ST research areas in which elements from GPN/GVC’s meso‑level analytical toolkit can be integrated: industrial transformation, multi-system interactions, and just transitions.

KW - Sustainability transitions

KW - Economic geography

KW - Global production networks

KW - Governance

KW - Just transitions

U2 - 10.1016/j.eist.2025.101094

DO - 10.1016/j.eist.2025.101094

M3 - Journal article

SN - 2210-4224

VL - 59

JO - Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions

JF - Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions

M1 - 101094

ER -

Incorporating insights from global production network and value chain research into the sustainability transitions field

Abstract

Keywords

Access to Document

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Projects

The industrial return on the green transition: Renewable energy in Vietnam (REturn)

Cite this