Utilizing the multi-level perspective in empirical field research: methodological considerations - Transition Pathways towards Sustainability in Agriculture: Case Studies from Europe - page 64

classification according to their relation to the three sustainability pillars (environmental,
economic, social), the selection of relevant indicators and the impact of the initiative on the
specific indicator.
Given the re-localization trends in contemporary agri-food systems, the inherent
heterogeneity of agriculture and the focus of this research on the regional sustainability of
agriculture, further analysis should take a closer look at the issue of space-specificity in the
study of transitions to sustainability, most notably the spatial variety in regime structures
and landscape forces as well as the territorialized character of institutional embeddedness.
Of course, many issues remain open. However, the operationalization of basic concepts
and their consistent theoretical development could make a substantial contribution not only
to the empirical research through the identification of specific criteria but also to the
advancement of transition theories as well.
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