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This chapter is concerned with processes of change and transformation in socio-technical regimes–patterns of artefacts, institutions, rules and norms assembled and maintained to perform economic and social activities. The discussion addresses recent theory in understanding the regime transformation process. We argue that these approaches place too much emphasis on the role of technological ‘niches’ as the principal locus for regime change. Instead, we argue that there is a range of different ‘transition contexts’ in which regime change can take place. Niches are protected ‘experimental settings’(Rip and Kemp, 1998) where norms and practices are developed which depart from those of an incumbent technological regime. According to niche-based understandings, regime changes begin when practices and norms developed in the niche become adopted more widely. Their influence grows and gathers …