Martiskainen, Mari (2017) The role of community leadership in the development of grassroots innovations. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 22. pp. 78-89. ISSN 2210-4224
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Abstract
This article focuses on the role of community leadership in the development of grassroots innovations. It asks: When community leaders initiate energy projects, what types of skills and knowledge practices do they utilise to nurture grassroots innovations? Grassroots innovations are usually driven by social and sustainability motives, and developed by civil society groups. Based on a mixed methods approach including research interviews and site visits, the article draws on previous literature on community leadership, grassroots innovations and niche literature. Community leadership is analysed via two in-depth community energy cases in the UK. Research findings show that community leadership can aid the development of grassroots innovations, which operate in niches and require nurturing. Community leadership benefits from being embedded into social networks, shared vision and decision making, but pre-existing skills and tacit knowledge also play a role. Community leaders can also assist niche building by working closely with intermediary actors.
Item Type: | Article |
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Keywords: | Community leadership, Grassroots innovations, Nurturing, Intermediaries, Community energy |
Schools and Departments: | University of Sussex Business School > SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit |
Subjects: | H Social Sciences |
Depositing User: | Mari Martiskainen |
Date Deposited: | 01 Jun 2016 11:41 |
Last Modified: | 02 Jul 2019 18:33 |
URI: | http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/61249 |
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The role of community leadership in the development of grassroots innovations. (deposited 19 May 2016 14:58)
- The role of community leadership in the development of grassroots innovations. (deposited 01 Jun 2016 11:41) [Currently Displayed]
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📧 Request an updateProject Name | Sussex Project Number | Funder | Funder Ref |
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Research Centre on Innovation and Energy Demand | G1020 | RCUK-RESEARCH COUNCILS UK | EP/K011790/1 |
Community Innovation in Sustainable Energy | G0490 | EPSRC-ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL | EP/H051139/1 |