Critical Perspectives on Co-Creation for Sustainable Development

Abstract

Co-creation has been widely adopted resulting in inconsistent practical application and conceptual ambiguity. The co-creation approach has primarily been developed in the context of bilateral interaction between companies and consumers to create new value, either symbolical or material. In recent years the approach has spread to contexts where it involves multiple stakeholders in generating tangible solutions that may be considered as mutually beneficial. This study contributes to the further definition of co-creation in relation to sustainable development in an international setting. The context challenges co-creation through introducing a diverse set of expectations and objectives to the process. In relation to sustainable development, co-creation is defined as collectively verifying problems and generating solutions through harnessing resources, capabilities and expertise for shared sustainable benefit. This study sheds light on the potential of the co-creation approach in fostering sustainable development and identifies mechanisms emergent in an international development setting. The study constructs a conceptualization of co-creation in relation to sustainable development, as a novel approach to doing development. The study utilizes the rigour of the realist evaluation method, underpinned in critical realism, to uncover the mechanisms of co-creation. The critical perspective of the study supports the identification of mechanisms that are seen to either support or hinder co-creation. Programme theory is developed and refined illustrating the logic of co-creation as an intervention. The study employs qualitative methods, such as document analysis and semi-structured interviews, to provide a robust exploration of co-creation in the empirical context of a Finnish-initiated smart community pilot project in Namibia. To contribute to the scholarly discussion on co-creation, the research questions are answered in a theory-driven way with empirical findings and existing literature in conversation. The findings reveal constrainment, adaptability and reciprocity as the main emergent mechanisms present in the intervention. Iterative engagement of stakeholders and alignment of their objectives and expectations are key emergent mechanisms found vital to fostering sustainability through the co-creation approach. The two mechanisms are interdependent and if not actualized, seen to support the emergence of mechanisms which hinder the generation of sustainable solutions or even foster co-destruction. The diversity of stakeholders involved in co-creation is seen to foster sustainability, as it allows for a more equal consideration of differing perspectives. The findings suggest that the co-creation approach supports sustainability objectives and has potential in involving marginalized groups in development activities. The key mechanisms identified, support achieving a consensus of sustainability and a context specific roadmap to achieving sustainable development. Co-creation presents as an open process inviting different influences, while it offers few guidelines for their navigation in practice. While some mechanisms of co-creation may be identified, the process is highly causal. This offers limited means to implement co-creation with the expectation that the result will follow the rationale of its initiation. The findings of the study are not directly applicable to any other intervention, however offer valuable insight on the nature and mechanisms of co-creation in a development locus.