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Abstract: This paper aims to understand the determinants of the adoption of wood pellet technology for home heating to identify possible strategies against the slow diffusion of wood pellet in Norway. A mail survey of 737 Norwegian households was conducted in 2008, involving wood pellet adopters and non-wood pellet adopters as respondents. An integrated model combining psychological factors (such as intentions, attitudes, perceived behavioral control, habits and norms), perceived wood pellet heating characteristics, and ecological and basic values is applied to predict the installation of a wood pellet stove retrospectively. Results from a path analysis gain empirical support for the proposed integrated model. Wood pellet heating adoption is mainly predicted by a deliberate decision process starting with the evaluation of heating system characteristics, mediated by attitudes and intentions. A lack of perceived behavioral control and behavioral lock-in pose relevant barriers to the adoption process. The influence of norms and values are indirect and only minor in the given market conditions. Therefore, focusing on values or norms should not be of highest priority at the moment, whereas improvement of the subjective evaluation of the functional reliability and the costs related to wood pellet heating should have first priority. The small but significant influence of habitual decision making indicates that presenting alternatives and increase decisional involvement could be other promising strategies to reduce cognitive lock-in in decision-making. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The background for this paper was a wish to extend the understanding of how sustainable transitions in sociotechnical systems come about, especially the characteristics of processes and the role of actors. The empirical context was the case of developing biogas production and improving transport in the Trondheim region in Norway. The case consisted of two connected units; establishment of a biogas plant (production side) and development of a sustainable public transport system (use side). As a template for the analysis, the Multilevel Perspective (MLP) on sociotechnical transitions was applied. The core in this perspective is the (sociotechnical) regime level, where changes have to occur in order for sustainable transitions to take place. Central at the regime level is the interaction between actors, technologies and institutions. Transitions can take place if actors experience threats from the external world and have access to niche innovations. Analysis of the case showed that the development first went through a transformation phase (ca. 1990–2009) where R&D actors developed basic technical innovations. In the next phase (2009–2019) there was a reconfiguration process were politicians and market actors engaged. Over the years, this process resulted in significant sustainability outcomes (increased production of biogas and exchange of fossil for biofuels in transport). Three major lessons can be drawn: 1) the crucial role of leadership when it comes to interpreting external changes, timing of actions and coordination of resources, 2) the necessity of new technological innovations and their adoption on regime level, and 3) differentiated state support can develop demand for renewable products and is necessary for compensating extra costs for niche actors. • Leadership is crucial in sustainable transitions. • In leadership, timing of action and coordination of resources is paramount. • Innovations take place and must be searched in special environments (niches). • State support can contribute to develop demand and compensate for extra costs. • Interaction across regimes opens special possibilities for transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]