The first is that open frameworks may be more suited to investigate the co-evolutionary dynamics
of transitions than precise models. Defending his work on broad approaches to corporate strategy,
Porter (1991) made a similar point, when he distinguished two approaches to theory building. The first
approach refers to “rigorous (often mathematical) models of limited complexity, which (...) isolates
a few key variables whose interactions are examined in depth” (Porter, 1991:97). While such rigorous
models are possible for demarcated topics, they may be less useful for broader, multi-dimensional
topics. For those topics, the second approach, heuristic perspectives, appear more relevant. These
“frameworks identify the relevant variables and the questions which the user must answer to order to
develop conclusions tailored to a particular industry and company. (...) In addition, all the interactions
among the variables in the frameworks cannot be rigorously drawn. The frameworks, however, seek
to help the analyst to better think through the problem” (Porter, 1991:98).