Abstract The article deals with the public perception of energy transition pathways, that is, of strategies towards sustainable ways of energy use. Implementing sustainable pathways poses a major challenge for organizations and society. Using a facet theoretical approach, we investigate the structure of people’s mental models of such pathways. Three facets are defined capturing the conceptual structure of transition pathways. Facet A (Level) distinguishes three elements: individual behaviors, societal actions, and technologies. Facet B (Type) distinguishes energy efficiency from curtailment pathways. Facet C (Impact domain) distinguishes five domains of potential impact of an energy transition pathway: economy, community, human health, nature, and life quality. A computer-administered survey with items derived from the facet design was administered to a student sample (N = 106). A multidimensional scaling analysis yields regional regularities for Facets A and B. For Facet A polar regions can be clearly distinguished according to the facet elements. Facet B shows regions exhibiting a modular structure with curtailment pathways located in the center and efficiency pathways in the periphery. Facet C shows a less clear pattern, showing the two elements economy and nature at opposing ends of an axial structure. Implications for the communication and management of sustainable energy transitions in society and organizations are discussed.

中文翻译：

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能源转型的途径：分类学

摘要本文讨论了公众对能源过渡途径的看法，即对可持续能源利用策略的看法。实施可持续发展的途径对组织和社会构成了重大挑战。使用多方面的理论方法，我们调查了这种途径的人们心理模型的结构。定义了三个方面来捕获过渡路径的概念结构。方面A（级别）区分三个要素：个人行为，社会行为和技术。方面B（类型）将能源效率与削减途径区分开来。方面C（影响范围）区分了能源转换路径的潜在影响的五个领域：经济，社区，人类健康，自然和生活质量。对学生样本进行了计算机管理的调查，其中包含来自方面设计的项目（N = 106）。多维比例分析可以得出方面A和方面B的区域规则。对于方面A，可以根据方面元素清楚地区分极性区域。方面B显示具有模块化结构的区域，其中削减路径位于中心，效率路径位于外围。小平面C显示的图案不太清晰，显示了轴向结构相对端的两个元素经济和自然。讨论了对社会和组织中可持续能源转型的沟通和管理的意义。对于方面A，可以根据方面元素清楚地区分极性区域。方面B显示具有模块化结构的区域，其中削减路径位于中心，效率路径位于外围。小平面C显示的图案不太清晰，显示了轴向结构相对端的两个元素经济和自然。讨论了对社会和组织中可持续能源转型的沟通和管理的意义。对于方面A，可以根据方面元素清楚地区分极性区域。方面B显示具有模块化结构的区域，其中削减路径位于中心，效率路径位于外围。小平面C显示的图案不太清晰，显示了轴向结构相对端的两个元素经济和自然。讨论了对社会和组织中可持续能源转型的沟通和管理的意义。