Transition and transformation: A cross-fertilizing approach to complement the study of systemic and sustainable changes (food system application)

• A semantic duality exists between "transition" and "transformation". • Three relational dynamics articulate them: complementary, nested, and independent. • Transformation address themes underexplored in Sustainability Transition Research. • Using both terms reflects efforts to cross-fertilize approaches on systemic change. The terms "transition" and "transformation" are frequently used to describe systemic and sustainable change. However, their conceptual boundaries remain ambiguous. While some studies suggest semantic overlap, others emphasize subtle distinctions. Nonetheless, few have examined their mutual contributions when used jointly. This paper presents a qualitative analysis of food systems literature that distinguishes between the two terms. Two key findings emerge: semantic duality persists, with "transition" exhibiting conceptual stability and "transformation" encompassing diversity, and their relationship follows three patterns: complementary, nested, or independent. Our results suggest that "transformation" supports the cross-fertilization of research on sustainable and systemic changes by engaging with underexplored themes in Sustainability Transition Research, such as power relations, politics, normativity, governance, social movements, culture, paradigms, and systemic and transdisciplinary approaches. The flexibility of "transformation" offers both an opportunity for rupture and progress toward sustainability, and a risk of dilution, underscoring the need for continued clarification of the concept.