Grassroots innovation: Scenario, policy and governance
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-1-2022
Abstract
Grassroots Innovations (GRIs) mostly represent incremental changes that are supported by local values and culture. In this respect, government efforts to promote and strengthen GRIs movements should take into consideration customised and targeted policy instruments that are different from the traditional innovation and development agendas. Based on this principle - and in the context of three Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines - this paper attempts to investigate the current public policy contexts and common instrumental mechanisms for public interventions supporting GRIs. The governing context alluding to policy support is elaborated to provide a taxonomy of GRIs policy measures germane to political-governance windows. The findings show that Malaysia has explicit policy support for GRIs, whereas innovators in Thailand and the Philippines indirectly benefit from broader inclusive development and innovation policies. There are three scenarios of instrumental mechanisms supporting GRIs - these show the differences in approaches adopted by national governments in terms of their perception of GRIs, modes of intervention and outcome expectations. This paper also highlights several policy concerns useful for future endeavours regarding public interventions on GRIs and rural development.
Keywords
Grassroots, Inclusive-rural development, Social innovation, Public policy, Governance, Southeast Asia
Divisions
ScienceandTechnologyStudies
Funders
Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) (Grant No: FP036-2016) (Grant No: FRGS/1/2016/SSI10/UM/02/1),Ministry of Education of Republic of Korea and Korean Studies Promotion Service of the Academy of Korean Studies (Grant No: AKS-2018-LAB-1250001)
Publication Title
Journal of Rural Studies
Volume
90
Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
Publisher Location
THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, ENGLAND