Fermented dreams

Více o knize

This study examines the development of the agricultural biogas sector in Germany from 1980 to 2008, focusing on regional influences and the impact of uncertainties and institutional changes. Utilizing institutional economics and entrepreneurship theories, the analytical framework identifies motivations for regional transactions among various actors and explains the institutional changes affecting the biogas sector. A case study is conducted through qualitative interviews with farmers and planning authorities involved in biogas transactions in both western and eastern Germany. The analysis employs time-sensitive coding linked to quantitative time series to track changes. Some regional changes are endogenous, while others are shaped by external factors like electricity feed-in tariffs and fluctuating agricultural prices. Initially, actors faced significant uncertainties, which they addressed through collaborative arrangements. As the sector matured, specialization of expertise emerged, aiding regional actors in managing increased regulatory complexity and refining technological, regulatory, and financial aspects. Standardization, dominant regional experts, and economies of scale create path dependencies. Ultimately, the effectiveness of sectoral governance and regional strategies hinges on the interplay between local and broader dynamics, requiring actors to creatively project and critically assess these evolving contingencies c