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Governance of Social Innovation in Forestry

Author

Listed:
  • Alice Ludvig

    (Institute of Forest, Environmental and Natural Resource Policy and European Forest Institute–EFI Forest Policy Research Network, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Feistmantelstraße 4, 1180 Vienna, Austria)

  • Todora Rogelja

    (Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry (TESAF), The University of Padova, Via dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy)

  • Marelli Asamer-Handler

    (ÖAR GmbH, Alberstrasse 10, 8010 Graz, Austria)

  • Gerhard Weiss

    (Institute of Forest, Environmental and Natural Resource Policy and European Forest Institute–EFI Forest Policy Research Network, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Feistmantelstraße 4, 1180 Vienna, Austria)

  • Maria Wilding

    (Llais y Goedwig, Unit 6 Dyfi Eco Parc, Machynlleth, Powys SY20 8AX, Wales, UK)

  • Ivana Zivojinovic

    (Institute of Forest, Environmental and Natural Resource Policy and European Forest Institute–EFI Forest Policy Research Network, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Feistmantelstraße 4, 1180 Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

Over the last decade, the term social innovation has received increased attention as a potential solution to address complex global social problems and to add collective values to society. The forest sector has great potential for fostering employment, community development and reducing increased emigration from rural to urban areas. This potential is not always realised, especially in economically weak and remote rural areas. Hence, this paper tackles the question of how social innovations in forestry are able to succeed under adverse circumstances and contribute to respond to some of the before mentioned challenges? To answer this question, we first identified four very different cases across Europe that are compatible with the criteria of social innovation. Proceeding from this starting point, comparative research was undertaken with the aim to identify the cases´ specific features and key criteria for success. In the cases considered, it is evident that the sheer determination and voluntary investment of time and effort by key individuals, who were convinced of the value of the idea for the community, provided indispensable impetus to all four social innovations. In drawing its conclusions, this paper highlights the principal areas that need consideration and that hence have implications when developing supportive policies. Furthermore, we provide some insight into future research topics that would allow us to better understand the positive impacts of social innovation in the forest-based sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Alice Ludvig & Todora Rogelja & Marelli Asamer-Handler & Gerhard Weiss & Maria Wilding & Ivana Zivojinovic, 2020. "Governance of Social Innovation in Forestry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-16, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:3:p:1065-:d:315812
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Geoff Mulgan, 2006. "The Process of Social Innovation," Innovations: Technology, Governance, Globalization, MIT Press, vol. 1(2), pages 145-162, April.
    2. Górriz-Mifsud, Elena & Burns, Matthew & Marini Govigli, Valentino, 2019. "Civil society engaged in wildfires: Mediterranean forest fire volunteer groupings," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 119-129.
    3. Lijphart, Arend, 1971. "Comparative Politics and the Comparative Method," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 65(3), pages 682-693, September.
    4. Ruttan, Vernon W., 2006. "Social science knowledge and induced institutional innovation: an institutional design perspective," Journal of Institutional Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 2(3), pages 249-272, December.
    5. Geoff Mulgan, 2012. "The Theoretical Foundations of Social Innovation," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Alex Nicholls & Alex Murdock (ed.), Social Innovation, chapter 1, pages 33-65, Palgrave Macmillan.
    6. Rogelja, T. & Ludvig, A. & Weiss, G. & Secco, L., 2018. "Implications of policy framework conditions for the development of forestry-based social innovation initiatives in Slovenia," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 147-155.
    7. Ivana Živojinović & Alice Ludvig & Karl Hogl, 2019. "Social Innovation to Sustain Rural Communities: Overcoming Institutional Challenges in Serbia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-27, December.
    8. Ludvig, Alice & Wilding, Maria & Thorogood, Adam & Weiss, Gerhard, 2018. "Social innovation in the Welsh Woodlands: Community based forestry as collective third-sector engagement," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 18-25.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Robert Lukesch & Alice Ludvig & Bill Slee & Gerhard Weiss & Ivana Živojinović, 2020. "Social Innovation, Societal Change, and the Role of Policies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-28, September.

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