Assessing the efficacy of transition theory to identify industry transformation: A case study examining the deregulation of Australia's dairy industry

Katrina Sinclair, Allan Curtis, Emily Mendham, Michael Mitchell

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    7 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Transformation is a key concept in social-ecological systems research, and transition theory in particular; however, the essential elements of a transformation are yet to be clearly articulated. This article explores the changes that took place when Australian governments deliberately set out to restructure the Australian dairy industry. Using the subtropical dairy industry as a case study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with industry stakeholders. Our analysis was structured around transition concepts thus testing the framework's efficacy. We found that deregulation substantially altered the culture of the industry and the structure and working practices of the production system, supply chain, industry organisations and government agencies. Transition theory and its concepts provided a useful framework to explain how systemic change transformed the industry. Transition theory identified the multi-scalar nature of the interactions between structure and practice and the social and power relationships that reinforced change.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)113-129
    Number of pages17
    JournalAustralian Geographer
    Volume46
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jan 2015

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