Inclusive Innovation: Definition, Conceptualisation and Future Research Priorities

Development Informatics Working Paper no. 53, 2013

30 Pages Posted: 20 Aug 2019

See all articles by Richard Heeks

Richard Heeks

The University of Manchester

Mirta Amalia

The University of Manchester - Division of Operations, Technology and Innovation Management

Robert Kintu

Independent

Nishant Shah

Leuphana University of Lueneburg

Date Written: August 16, 2013

Abstract

There is increasing policy, practice and academic interest in “inclusive innovation”. In simple terms, this is the means by which new goods and services are developed for and/or by those who have been excluded from the development mainstream; particularly the billions living on lowest incomes. However, there are many competing perspectives on inclusive innovation, which this paper resolves into an integrated ‘ladder’ model of different levels of inclusive innovation.

Research has so far lagged practice and there is need for a more concerted effort at knowledge-building for inclusive innovation. Based on a three-country interview study with 37 policy-makers, strategists, private sector and NGO sector representatives – and founded on a review of existing literature on inclusive innovation – this paper reports findings about research priorities in inclusive innovation. Respondents identified a set of eleven priority research topics, which are categorised as stakeholder-, systemic- or process-oriented.

These priorities provide evidence-based guidance for future research on inclusive innovation.

Suggested Citation

Heeks, Richard and Amalia, Mirta and Kintu, Robert and Shah, Nishant, Inclusive Innovation: Definition, Conceptualisation and Future Research Priorities (August 16, 2013). Development Informatics Working Paper no. 53, 2013, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3438439 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3438439

Richard Heeks (Contact Author)

The University of Manchester ( email )

Oxford Road
Manchester, N/A M13 9PL
United Kingdom

Mirta Amalia

The University of Manchester - Division of Operations, Technology and Innovation Management ( email )

United Kingdom

Robert Kintu

Independent ( email )

Nishant Shah

Leuphana University of Lueneburg ( email )

Scharnhorststraße 1
Wilschenbrucher Weg 69
Lüneburg, 21335
Germany

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