A Strategic Engagement Model for Delivering Energy Efficiency Initiatives in the English Housing Sector

Abstract

Housing sectors have particular significance and impact on resource use, deployment and sustainability. Given this, they are inextricably enmeshed in a raft of conjoined issues, ranging from energy, production and consumption, through to effective governance structures and leveraged sustainable transformations. However, the real challenges facing the Housing sectors rest with the supportive societal structures which underpin the operationalisation of these issues. This includes such factors as consultation and engagement, and the identification of critical drivers and proven solutions – which are tangible barriers for sustainable transformations (particularly in the English housing system).
This research presents a conceptual model – STRIDES (Strategic Tri-level Relational Interventions for Delivering Energy efficiency and Sustainability), which purposefully addresses the aforementioned barriers, and critically challenges thinking and engagement. STRIDES explicitly captures 5-INs, which embodies interrelated essential conditions needed for successful transformation. This conceptual model was developed using a mixed-method approach, engaging constructivism/interpretivism to guide the development and augmentation of this (to ensure maximum relevance and impact). The English housing system was used as the primary lens – which helped both shape and inform the research methodological approach. STRIDES was developed through: an online survey questionnaire (for systems-knowledge); Delphi questionnaires (for target-knowledge); and focus group discussions (for transformative-knowledge).
The theoretical constructs and methods revealed exclusive hidden dialogue of composite correlated multi-perspective stakeholders, which highlighted tri-level influences on interdependent system-components for effective governance of sustainable transformations. Recognising and prioritising relationally responsive emerging strategies arising from STRIDES help stakeholders appreciate subtle nuances and forces across and beyond contexts. This helps positioning, especially to shape/tailor strategic interventions to deliver meaningful objectives of these sustainable transformations.