ABSTRACT

This chapter introduces different perspectives on the concept of niches. Three types of structures have attracted particular scholarly attention: organisations, networks and niches. In common language, 'niches' designate bounded spaces which are more or less stable and thus exist over longer periods of time. The concept of niches in terms of societal spaces which are conductive to innovation has received most attention in quasi-evolutionary theories of socio-technological change. The management of niches is essentially determined by the fact that new systems can neither be planned in advance nor steered in a predefined direction, because they lack clear and consensual, let alone quantified, objectives. Strategic niche management emphasizes that the establishment and development of niches is an essentially collaborative endeavour that depends on the engagement of a diverse set of committed and networked organisations or individuals.