Context Matters : a qualitative study of social innovation in rural Sweden
Recently, the concept of social innovation has gained increased attention both in academia and in policy, presented as a useful tool for solving complex societal challenges, also the societal challenges apparent in rural areas. The rural context, however, and its implications for social innovatio...
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| Formato: | H2 |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés sueco |
| Publicado: |
SLU/Dept. of Urban and Rural Development
2020
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| Sumario: | Recently, the concept of social innovation has gained increased attention both in academia and in
policy, presented as a useful tool for solving complex societal challenges, also the societal
challenges apparent in rural areas. The rural context, however, and its implications for social
innovation, is often neglected. This study sets out to increase knowledge about the interplay
between social innovation and the rural context by exploring how the context of rural Sweden
constrains or enables social innovation, and how the assets and liabilities of the context are utilised
or overcome. The empirical cases are five social innovation initiatives in rural locations across
Sweden. The study finds that different dimensions of context enable or constrain social innovation
to a varying extent throughout the process. In line with previous research, the social context appears
to enable social innovation while the institutional context constitutes the main liability. Extra-local
networks and individuals are found to be crucial to overcome such constraints. In sum, this study
contributes to the field of rural development by underscoring the matter of context and the need for
governmental action in order to release the potential of social innovation as a tool for solving rural
societal challenges. |
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