Grassroots Innovation: A Bibliometric Analysis and Thematic Content Analysis

Abstract

This study examines the intellectual structure of the grassroots innovation (GI) literature by applying bibliometric analysis and content analysis techniques. The analysis finds that sustainability journals are the leading publication outlets on GI, a coterie of researchers is dominant, and they have frequently co-authored articles. The cluster analysis has identified five clusters: governance, community energy, civil society and social development, community participation, and informal sector innovation. We perform a content analysis of the primary studies of each cluster. Based on the outcomes of the analysis, implications and future research avenues are presented.

Keywords: Grassroots innovation, Sustainable development, Bottom-up approach, Bibliometric analysis