Social innovation for sustainability: The case of oil producing communities in the Niger delta region

Abstract

This study demonstrates how social innovation may engender development as well as peace in deep-rooted poverty and conflict regions in the Niger Delta context. By means of a qualitative study involving oil producing communities in the Niger Delta, this study identifies the dynamics, relevant actors and factors that foster social innovation, creating particular socio-economic outcomes, and contributes to the role of institutions in this context. Our findings suggest that active stakeholders' engagement, facilitation and contributions from key actors significantly influences the quality of economic and social outcomes, but not necessarily environmental outcomes. This allows us to advance the theory on social innovation by analyzing the mechanisms through which social intervention processes may alter the lives of ordinary community members in areas where social and economic interventions are seriously required.