| dc.description.abstract | Inefficiencies in current practices associated with meat consumption and production have prompted societies to search for more environmentally sound alternatives. Plant-based proteins have been identified as viable substitutes for meat products with substantially less to no environmental, health, and social impacts. In the United States, the market for plant-based proteins has undergone an immense transformation since its beginnings in the 1970s causing one to question the driving force behind this transition. The technological innovation systems (TIS) framework has been identified as a proclaimed framework to analyze these societal shifts to more sustainable modes of both consumption and production. Given, the deeply cultural aspects associated with food, however, this study complements the TIS with institutional theory in order to examine the institutionalization and de-institutionalize processes employed by actors in the United States plant-based protein innovation system. Theory on the structuration of sociotechnical regimes is also incorporated to conceptualize the dominant American ‘meat’ regime. Accordingly, this research conducts a qualitative event analysis from 1978-2019. Findings indicate that plant-based protein actors mainly create institutions through gaining legitimacy for the plant-based protein industry. Apart from simply creating institutions, actors simultaneously fit into existing practices associated with meat consumption and production which has resulted in unprecedented growth of the plant-based protein industry in America. | |
