Mapping the Dutch Energy Transition Hyperlink Network

Nuccio Ludovico, Marc Esteve Del Valle and Franco Ruzzenenti
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Nuccio Ludovico: Integrated Research on Energy, Environment and Society, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
Marc Esteve Del Valle: Research Centre for Media and Journalism Studies, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
Franco Ruzzenenti: Integrated Research on Energy, Environment and Society, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 18, 1-24

Abstract: The Internet facilitates connections between a range of Dutch actors with a stake in the energy transition, including governments, environmental organizations, media outlets and corporations. These connections tease a hyperlink network affecting public access to information on energy transition issues. Despite its societal relevance, however, the characteristics of this network remain understudied. The main goals of this study are to shed some light on the topological characteristics of the Dutch energy transition hyperlink network and reveal the main topics discussed in the network. To do so, we longitudinally collected data from the interactions between key Dutch actors with a stake in the energy transition. Then, these data were analyzed by employing a mixed-method approach, social network analysis and topic modeling. The results of the social network analyses reveal the existence of a sparse network in which few private companies and associations emerge as the most authoritative actors and brokers. Furthermore, our analyses show substantial differences among the communication agendas of the organizations of the Dutch energy transition hyperlink network; while public institutions focus on global, national and local policy issues, private companies, associations and NGOs pay much more attention to employment issues.

Keywords: energy transition; Netherlands; World Wide Web; hyperlink network; social network analysis; topic modeling; STM (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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