Scaling impact from grassroots social innovation: a conceptual network-based model Online publication date: Mon, 05-Dec-2016
by Annika Voltan
International Journal of Work Innovation (IJWI), Vol. 2, No. 1, 2017
Abstract: This paper makes a theoretical contribution to the field of social innovation by applying a social network perspective to scaling grassroots initiatives. Existing theoretical work pertaining to social innovation, social entrepreneurship, and the role of networks for scaling social innovation is explored. Based on this review, a conceptual model is developed that builds on existing research and consists of four main elements: the role of agency, relationship density, relationship diversity, and network structure. The model is applied to a case study of nine food producers in Nova Scotia, Canada, who have employed a community-supported agriculture (CSA) approach to selling their products to support their social and environmental goals in a financially viable manner. Interviews with CSA operators are used to gather data, and findings from the case study are used to provide support for the particular importance of relationship diversity and network structures for scaling social innovations.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Work Innovation (IJWI):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook