Transformative Innovation

Andreas Novy, Nathan Barlow and Julia Fankhauser

SRE-Disc from Institute for Multilevel Governance and Development, Department of Socioeconomics, Vienna University of Economics and Business

Abstract: This article scrutinizes the potential of transformative innovations to contribute to social-ecological transformations. It problematizes the positive connotation linked to innovations in tackling contemporary social and environmental challenges by giving an overview of theories of innovation, with a focus on social innovations, and systematizing the multiple meanings of the term transformation. We define transformative innovations as innovations that contribute to those transformations that are desirable and feasible in a specific conjuncture. Desirable are innovations that enable a good life for all within planetary boundaries, feasible are those that can be implemented here and now, given specific constellations of actors, power relations and structural constraints and possibilities. Furthermore, we describe the current conjuncture, dwell on collective and political actions and explore one promising transformative innovation: creating and strengthening sustainable and inclusive provisioning systems, that are feasible in the short term and effective in the long-term.

Keywords: social-ecological transformation; transformative innovation; social innovation; critical realism; provision systems; foundational economy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F54 F55 O1 O10 Q Q00 Q01 Z1 Z10 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 30 pages
Date: 2022
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hme
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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