Rethinking Standardisation: Institutional Arrangements, Sustainability and the Energy Transition

Abstract

This thesis investigates the role of standardisation as an institutional process at the intersection of sustainability, the energy transition, and global governance. Drawing on theories of standardisation and institutions, a framework is built using an in-depth case study of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The research combines ethnographic approaches, including elite informant interviews and participant observation, and positions standards as sociotechnical artefacts that shape both technical systems and societal outcomes, such as sustainability and the energy transition. The findings highlight two aggregate dimensions - institutional alignment and adaptive practices – that form the foundation of the first theory linking standardisation and sustainability – that of standardisation as distributed agency. Mediated by factors such as communication, stakeholder engagement, data and metrics, these dimensions explain how international standardisation can evolve to remain legitimate, inclusive, and impactful in the context of accelerating global change. The thesis proposes the IEC Global Impact Catalyst as a practical governance innovation to operationalise these insights, bridging technical legitimacy with societal accountability. Contributions include a new conceptual synthesis linking institutional theory with Science Technology and Society (STS) studies, empirical insights into the dynamics of international standardisation, and actionable recommendations for governance reform.