Elsevier

Environmental Science & Policy

Volume 114, December 2020, Pages 242-252
Environmental Science & Policy

Innovation process and uncertainties in resource-constrained environments: A case from the water service sector in East Africa

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2020.07.007Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Highlights

  • Detailed view to a water innovation process in a resource-constrained environment.

  • Diversity of resource-constrained innovation uncertainties described and identified.

  • Capabilities of different partners leveraged to manage uncertainties.

  • Partners can be multiple and differ depending on the need and process stage.

  • Successful innovation management is needed to foster sustainability in water sector.

Abstract

Innovation processes face significant and not well-understood uncertainties in resource-constrained environments in developing countries. Through a case study of a water innovation process focused on Kenya, this article studies the prevailing uncertainties and management principles. With the help of a framework that combines information on technological, organizational, commercial and social aspects, our study identifies uncertainties in four distinctive stages of resource-constrained innovation: (1) Ideation and conceptualization, (2) Learning-based product and business development, (3) Scrutinized product and business development and (4) Commercialization. We recognize three principles required to manage uncertainties and develop successful resource-constrained innovations: (1) the utilization of versatile research and development approaches, (2) building internal acceptability, trust and legitimacy and (3) leveraging range of partnerships and networks to access complementary resources and capabilities in different process stages. Our findings suggest that management of uncertainties requires proactive utilization of partner networks and context-specific strategies in different stages. With this research, we contribute to the understanding of innovation processes by advancing process-based knowledge of water innovation, uncertainties and related management strategies in resource-constrained environments.

Abbreviations

ATM / water ATM
Automated teller machine: Automatic water dispensing machine with an integrated mobile prepayment and real-time monitoring system
BOP
Base-of-the-Pyramid
NGO
Non-governmental organization
O&M
Operation and Maintenance
R&D
Research and Development
SDG
Sustainable Development Goal
TCOS
Technological, Commercial, Organizational and Social
WASH
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

Keywords

Resource-constrained innovation
Water innovation
Water services
Developing markets
Innovation uncertainties
Innovation process

Cited by (0)

Anne M. J. Hyvärinen is a doctoral student at the Aalto University School of Engineering and an Associate WASH Officer at UNHCR. Her research focuses on water innovation in resource-constrained environments, with a special focus on East Africa. Anne explores innovation management, intermediaries, and the role of the private sector in contributing to sustainable development. Previously, Anne has worked with international business development and with water and environmental policy.

Dr. Marko Keskinen is an Associate Professor at Aalto University, Finland. His teaching and research focuses on water resources management and governance, sustainability and science-policy-stakeholder interaction. Marko has worked in several regions in Asia and Africa on water and development. Marko collaborates closely with different ministries and other stakeholders, and has worked for the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Mekong River Commission, the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

Dr. Jarkko Levänen is an Assistant Professor at Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology, Finland. His research focuses on sustainability management in the areas of advancement of the circular economy and mitigation of climate change. Jarkko explores sectoral transitions, sustainable business models and institutional changes. Previously, Jarkko worked on research projects dealing with risk governance of carbon capture and storage in Europe, sustainable industrial production in Scandinavia, and the social implications of climate change in the Nordic peripheries.