A Set Theoretic Approach to Account for Clumsy Solutions: Evidence From Latin America's Energy Transition Governance

ABSTRACT How can solutions to complex or wicked problems like the sustainable energy transition be accounted for? Socio‐cultural viability theory, or cultural theory (CT) provides an answer. It postulates that wicked problems can be tackled by clumsy solutions, which accommodate all relevant perspectives. It also posits that the latter can be classified with its fourfold typology of worldviews. Despite this framework's influence on policy‐making, operationalizing its clumsy solutions hypothesis has proven challenging. Fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), a set‐theoretic configurational research approach, is proposed here to facilitate that task. Using these lenses, Latin America and the Caribbean's energy transition is studied in terms of the 949 policies currently in force. Two pathways to higher energy transition performance are found displaying different degrees of clumsiness, suggesting the latter is a question of gradation and providing support for the theory's claims. The findings reveal the benefits of this research strategy.