Understanding the pathways for scaling rural innovations: Insights from 34 rural revitalization cases in Asia

Abstract

Despite a growing number of innovative rural revitalization practices in Asia, the patterns and mechanisms through which such innovations are scaled have not been thoroughly explored. This study distinguishes three forms of rural innovation scaling, namely expansion, replication, and translation, and examines 34 rural revitalization efforts across eight Asian jurisdictions to identify robust pathways associated with each scaling form. Using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) and in-depth case analysis, our results suggest that each scaling form requires the support of different configurations of enabling conditions. While recognized leadership, strong extra-local networks, and effective knowledge aggregation and circulation form a shared backbone of successful scaling, replication proves more demanding than expansion. Translation requires a further convergence of demonstrated wider relevance, windows of opportunity, authoritative legitimation, and active advocacy for formal adoption. Our analysis highlights the importance of strengthening the backbone of scaling by encouraging civil society and other extra-local actors to take the lead in coordinating, codifying, and disseminating rural innovation practices. It also enriches our understanding of the multiple roles that governments can play in fostering the scaling of rural innovations across Asian contexts.