A framework of disruptive sustainable innovation: an example of the Finnish food system. Issue 7 (3rd July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kuokkanen, Anna; Uusitalo, Ville; Koistinen, Katariina
• Is Part Of: Technology analysis & strategic management. Volume 31:Issue 7(2019)
• Page Start: 749
• Page End: 764
• Publication Date: 2019-07-03
• Subjects: Sustainability transitions -- disruptive innovation -- disruptive sustainable innovation -- food system -- food system innovation; Technological innovations -- Management -- Periodicals; Research, Industrial -- Management -- Periodicals; High technology industries -- Management -- Periodicals; Strategic planning -- Periodicals; 658.401205
• DOI: 10.1080/09537325.2018.1550254
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-7325

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Disruptive innovations are perceived necessary for accelerating sustainability transitions. However, it is not always clear what exactly is meant by it, what is to be disrupted, and by whom. Socio-technical transition research on pays too much attention at the technological niche-innovations in the production, and overlooks business model innovation and user practices in the consumption, whilst management literature on disruptive innovation falls short in the scale and scope of disruption in terms of systemic outcome. Thus, the first aim of the paper is to synthesise the extant literature and put forward a general practice-based view on disruptive sustainable innovation. The second aim of the paper is to use empirical data to elaborate the theoretical framework in the Finnish food system context. Four firm-level cases provide empirical scrutiny to each type of disruptive sustainable innovation in the food system and shed light on the interlinked practices of producer-entrepreneurs and citizen-consumers.