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Rural social enterprises as embedded intermediaries: The innovative power of connecting rural communities with supra-regional networks

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  • Richter, Ralph

Abstract

The question of how social enterprises foster social innovation in rural regions remains largely unexplored. In this paper, I develop the assumption that the embeddedness of social enterprises in rural communities and their ability to connect rural communities with supra-regional networks and decision makers are crucial preconditions for generating and fostering social innovation in the countryside. By applying the social network approach and a cross-case analysis of social enterprises in rural regions of Austria and Poland, I show how rural social enterprises mobilise ideas, resources and support from external sources not primarily for their own benefit but for that of their rural region. As embedded intermediaries, they contribute to transformational change and wellbeing, albeit they are only one of many forces that drive rural development.

Suggested Citation

  • Richter, Ralph, 2019. "Rural social enterprises as embedded intermediaries: The innovative power of connecting rural communities with supra-regional networks," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 70(8), pages 179-187.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:espost:214902
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2017.12.005
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    3. Richter, Ralph & Christmann, Gabriela B., 2021. "On the role of key players in rural social innovation processes," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, issue (Articles.
    4. Christmann, Gabriela B., 2020. "Wie man soziale Innovationen in strukturschwachen ländlichen Räumen befördern kann [How Social Innovation can be Supported in Structurally Weak Rural Regions]," IRS Dialog 5/2020, Leibniz Institute for Research on Society and Space (IRS).
    5. Rohit Bhardwaj & Saurabh Srivastava & Sunali Bindra & Sumit Sangwan, 2023. "An ecosystem view of social entrepreneurship through the perspective of systems thinking," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(1), pages 250-265, January.
    6. Mara Willemijn van Twuijver & Lucas Olmedo & Mary O’Shaughnessy & Thia Hennessy, 2020. "Rural social enterprises in Europe: A systematic literature review," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 35(2), pages 121-142, March.
    7. Baxter, Jamie Scott & Chatzichristos, Georgios & Christmann, Gabriela & Hennebry, Barraí & Kovanen, Sunna & Novikova, Marina & Olmedo, Lucas & Stoustrup, Sune W. & van Twuijver, Mara & Umantseva, Anna, 2020. "Social Enterprises in Structurally Weak Rural Regions: Innovative Troubleshooters in Action. Handbook for Practitioners," IRS Dialog 6/2020, Leibniz Institute for Research on Society and Space (IRS).
    8. Adiwan Aritenang, 2021. "The Role of Social Capital on Rural Enterprises Economic Performance: A Case Study in Indonesia Villages," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(3), pages 21582440211, September.
    9. Francesco Cappellano & Francesco Molica & Teemu Makkonen, 2024. "Missions and Cohesion Policy: is there a match?," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 51(3), pages 360-374.
    10. Paul Courtney & John Powell, 2020. "Evaluating Innovation in European Rural Development Programmes: Application of the Social Return on Investment (SROI) Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-25, March.
    11. Novikova Marina & de Fátima Ferreiro Maria & Stryjakiewicz Tadeusz, 2020. "Local Development Initiatives as Promoters of Social Innovation: Evidence from Two European Rural Regions," Quaestiones Geographicae, Sciendo, vol. 39(2), pages 43-53, June.
    12. Bram van Vulpen, 2020. "Rethinking The Regional Bounds Of Justice: A Scoping Review Of Spatial Justice In Eu Regions," Romanian Journal of Regional Science, Romanian Regional Science Association, vol. 14(2), pages 5-34, DECEMBER.
    13. Philipp Aerni, 2021. "Decentralized Economic Complexity in Switzerland and Its Contribution to Inclusive and Sustainable Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-18, April.
    14. Christmann, Gabriela B., 2020. "How Social Innovation can be Supported in Structurally Weak Rural Regions," IRS Dialog 5/2020e, Leibniz Institute for Research on Society and Space (IRS).
    15. Benjamin FRIEDLÄNDER & Christina SCHAEFER, 2022. "Co-production of Public Goods in Shrinking Rural Regions in Germany: Why Does Public Action Still Matter?," CIRIEC Studies Series, in: Philippe BANCE & Marie-J. BOUCHARD & Dorothea GREILING & CIRIEC (ed.), New perspectives in the co-production of public policies, public services and common goods, volume 3, chapter 6, pages 125-142, CIRIEC - Université de Liège.
    16. Richter, Ralph, 2020. "Innovations at the edge: how local innovations are established in less favourable environments," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, issue Latest Ar, pages 1-21.
    17. Calderini, Mario & Fia, Magali & Gerli, Francesco, 2023. "Organizing for transformative innovation policies: The role of social enterprises. Theoretical insights and evidence from Italy," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(7).
    18. Sharjana Alam Shaily & Nazmun Nahar Emma, 2021. "Integration of Artificial Intelligence Marketing to Get Brand Recognition for Social Business," International Review of Management and Marketing, Econjournals, vol. 11(4), pages 29-37.

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