Towards a multi-scalar perspective on transition trajectories

•There is a need to further develop a multi-scalar view on niche and regime structures in transition studies.•The paper introduces a novel analytical framework conceptualizing transitions as the (de-)institutionalization and re-scaling of rationalities in multi-scalar socio-technical systems.•The empirical case study in the global sanitation sector illustrates a transition trajectory that departs from key assumptions of the traditional local-global niche cumulation and upscaling trajectory.•Through the development of ISO 30500 for non-sewered sanitation, a group of powerful actors pursued a direct institutionalization of rationales at the global level.•The empirical findings point to the complementary role of played by re-scaling and institutionalization mechanisms in transitions.