Unravelling complex causality - the explanatory power of Qualitative Comparative Analysis for investigating transitions

Advances in the emerging research field of sustainability transitions have been offering a broad variety of conceptual and analytical approach guiding various methodological applications. Though, as outlined in a publication by Frank Geels recently, there is a pressing demand for proper epistemological foundations about causal explanation and consequently robust methods that mirror such foundations for investigation socio-technological transitions.
I would like to illustrate that Qualitative Comparative Analysis can add substantially to the understanding and analysis of complex causalities in ongoing transitions. Qualitative Comparative Analysis as a complexity-informed research approach and method has the potential to contribute valuable explanatory power to the dynamics of complex, conjunctural causalities to govern sustainability transitions. QCA treats single cases as configurations of conditions that eventually lead to an outcome. By understanding cases as complex systems, QCA is used to apply a context- and conjuncture-sensitive conception of causation. Paths of conjunctions of conditions are thus multiple (multifinality and equifinality). ... mehrBy comparing cases, it is focused on recurring patterns over multiple cases and on specific events in particular cases, as both are relevant for the development of complex systems over time.
The methodological contribution I would like to make will be illustrate by ongoing research covering policy mixes for electric vehicle transitions in the urban. By deploying Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), the contribution is addressing the demand mentioned and provides a method for investigating the complex causation of policy configurations for electric vehicle uptake. The model applied is focusing on the dynamics of remote (national) and proximate (urban) policy conditions and their effects on EV uptake in European cities.