Autonomous Innovations in Rural Communities of Developing Countries II—Causal Network and Leverage Point Analyses of Transformations

Abstract

Solving complex system challenges such as natural resource management in social-ecological systems (SESs) is fraught with great uncertainty. To cope with these challenges, socially vulnerable people in developing countries have created various autonomous innovations. This study focuses on the concept of leverage point (LP) to understand the emergence of innovations and the transformation mechanism of SESs. An LP is a part of a complex system where a small change can cause transformations in the entire system and can be identified from causal networks in an SES. This study analyzed the emergence processes of autonomous innovations as causal networks through transdisciplinary collaboration with innovators in communities and succeeded in visualizing the initial conditions, outcomes, and challenges. We constructed a new definition of LPs based on graph theory and classified LPs into three types based on their characteristics. The network analysis of the causal networks of two innovations in developing countries revealed that the three types of LPs functioned synthetically in complex systems to promote transformation. Based on these results, we propose the potential ways of interventions for the transformation of complex system networks including plural LPs and discuss their effectiveness as boundary objects in transdisciplinary processes collaborating with diverse stakeholders. Further research is expected to accumulate knowledge for solving the various challenges faced by SESs.

Autonomous Innovations in Rural Communities in Developing Countries III-Leverage Points of Innovations and Enablers of Social-Ecological Transformation

“…Thus, the continued emergence of autonomous innovations among socially vulnerable people, especially in developing countries, will facilitate the transformation of social-ecological systems. Tajima, et al (2022) found that autonomous innovations starting from motivations closer to everyday life could produce by-products of collective actions that promote public value enhancement [19]. They argued that this process was important to the emergence of innovations that could address wicked problems.…”

“…Takemura et al (in press) have developed an analytical method for LP identification using causal network analysis. They also clarified that LPs were classified into three types with different characteristics [27]. Since this method is based on causal relationship chains, it allows us to analyze the function of LPs in the emergence of innovations along the time series in detail.…”

“…) extracted causal chains from the narratives of autonomous innovations organized in the autonomous innovation toolbox, converted each causal chain into a chronological list of nodes and links, and drew causal networks [27]. In this study, we used this methodology to draw network diagrams for 15 innovations.…”

“…In this study, we used this methodology to draw network diagrams for 15 innovations. Takemura, et al (in press) also developed a new definition of LPs using network centralities and developed an analysis method to identify nodes that have a significant impact on social-ecological systems as LPs [27]. LPs were classified into three types ("in", "out", and "all") according to the characteristics of the nodes.…”

“Future Compass”, a Tool That Allows Us to See the Right Horizon—Integration of Topic Modeling and Multiple-Factor Analysis

“…Second, sustainability requires a decision-making support system that not only considers current opinions and benefits but also future visions [22]. Third, in the case of complex social-ecological systems (SES), a linear approach toward a specific goal or future vision may not adequately address uncertainty [23].…”