The emergence of social innovation in rural revitalisation practices: A comparative case study from Taiwan

Abstract

Social innovation is considered a promising strategy for coping with societal challenges in rural areas. It is even viewed as essential to revitalisation. The literature suggests that social innovation is driven by the will to pursue a better quality of life, which includes the tangible and practical needs of residents (digital connectivity, healthcare facilities, environmental improvement, etc.), and results in tangible and intangible changes in society. In this paper, we aim to clarify the emergence of social innovation in rural revitalisation from community-driven practices and identify the relevant actors (actants). In doing so, we use the lens of actor-network theory (ANT) to analyse two rural communities from Taiwan. Both were confronted with environmental issues but they addressed in different ways and with different outcomes. Identifying the emergence of social innovation processes and their key actants, we conclude that rural social innovation can be an unintended outcome of continuous engagement in which practical interests result in both tangible and intangible changes. Therefore, it is difficult to predict at the outset whether community-driven rural revitalisation will facilitate social innovation. Nevertheless, staying connected with a group of engaged residents who are driven by a shared vision seems to be essential for fuelling social innovation, regardless of whether the actors are conscious of social innovation.