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Social innovation (SI) has been championed as an integral feature of community-led rural development. However, the choice of the term "innovation" prompts a number of questions about the intensity and novelty of SI initiatives. In this paper, these issues are examined through the lens of radical and incremental innovation theory. By analysing features of radical and incremental SI, we can better understand the different social reconfigurations that can respond effectively to a range of rural needs and opportunities. The article aims at explaining the meaning and operationalisation of radical and incremental SI in rural areas. A multiple case study method was adopted for the research. Empirical data was gathered from two initiatives located in rural areas of Spain and Scotland and the main methods used were semi-structured interviews and qualitative content analysis. The findings illustrate how radical and incremental SIs can lead to sustainable development and social change. However, they imply social reconfigurations of different intensity that respond to the different attitudes and aspirations of the actors involved. The paper shows three diverging development trajectories for SI initiatives and discusses the role of conflict, skills and planning in these processes. Further, the more fluid nature of SI compared to technological innovation is clarified. In the conclusion we argue that public actors should identify the different aspirations of local actors and set the stage for the activation of the local society. In radical SI processes, conflict management mechanisms and new skills need to be promoted. • The intensity of social innovation (SI) in rural areas is examined through the lens of radical and incremental innovation. • Actors' attitudes and aspirations in relation to community needs influence the degree of radicalism of SI. • The way SIs challenge the status quo of local communities is key in distinguishing radical and incremental processes. • Radical SI usually requires longer adoption periods and can bring about conflicts. • The emergence of conflicts depends on the temporal context and the specific nature of the actors involved. • SI initiatives are fluid and can evolve into different radical and incremental processes over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coworking has been a largely urban phenomenon although new initiatives are emerging in rural areas. Rural coworking is partly a response to the growing need for ICT, which is unevenly provided across rural areas, and partly to the social needs of freelancers and home-workers. By combining technological and social functions, coworking spaces can play key roles in the progress of a Smart Countryside, supporting digital, knowledge-based and creative entrepreneurs within rural places, thus reducing the need for extensive commuting and out-migration, particularly among younger and higher-skilled workers. As working practices evolve in the aftermath of Covid-19, these new physical spaces are expected to facilitate new network connections. Castells' Network Society provides a valuable lens through which to investigate how coworking founders and managers promote a mix of internal and external networks that might create new, and superior, entrepreneurial opportunities. The research highlights strategies to promote collaboration as well as methods of adapting to meet new demands from rural workers in a range of rural settings. As an array of different rural coworking models evolve, we also reflect on the importance of inclusivity and identity in determining their relationship with other actors in the local economy. • Castells' Network Society is applied to understand changes in the rural economy. • Distinctive success factors for rural co-working spaces are identified. • Rural co-working spaces create and sustain new business networks. • Co-working embodies a 'smart countryside', mixing social and technological elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we analyze the use of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods in the field of rural studies by means of a content analysis of the leading journals. We begin with a short discussion of the pros and cons of mixed methods research in rural studies. We then move on to the empirical portion. We use a classification of published articles for the years 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 in the leading journals in the field: Sociologia Ruralis, Rural Sociology, and Journal of Rural Studies. We found striking differences in the publication policy of the three journals regarding methods applied. Sociologia Ruralis primarily accepts articles of a qualitative nature, and this has scarcely changed over the years. Rural Sociology, on the other hand, accepts mostly quantitative articles, and this has also been quite stable over time. The Journal of Rural Studies has traditionally been oriented towards qualitative research, but, in recent years, mixed method approaches play a visible role (around 20% in 2016). JRS is also the only journal that shows a sharp increase in papers of non-Western origin, with an emphasis on quantitative methods but not on mixed methods. The overall conclusion is that the rural research context offers considerable scope for a broader and increased application of mixed methods, and this merits greater attention among rural journals. • The use of mixed methods research in rural studies is increasing. • There are striking differences in the publication policy of the main journals of rural studies regarding methods applied. • The share of non-Western countries in the published articles is still very limited. • JRS is the only journal that shows a sharp increase in papers of non-Western origin, mainly from China. • The rural research context offers considerable scope for a broader and increased application of mixed methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate risk continues to be framed ostensibly in terms of physical, socio-economic and/or ecological risks, as evidenced in the 2012 and 2017 UK Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) evidence reports. This article argues that framing climate risk in this way remains problematic for the science-policy process, particularly in ensuring adequate climate risk assessment information translates into more effective adaptation decision-making. We argue how climate risk assessments need to further consider the social and political aspects of place-based climate risk to ensure more effective adaptation policy outcomes. Using a discourse analysis of the CCRA3 Technical Report methods chapter published in June 2021, we discuss three critical themes around how climate risk is currently framed within the Technical Report methods chapter. These are (i) the over-reliance on reductive methodological framing of assessing climate risk through 'urgency scores'; (ii) the idea of what constitutes 'opportunity'; and (iii) the framing of transformational adaptation discourses through the lens of climate risk. To conclude, we suggest that to move beyond assessing risk solely in terms of biophysical and socio-economic risk, a greater emphasis on the social and political contexts of 'place-based' risk needs to be central to climate change risk assessments. • Climate risk is predominantly framed in terms of physical, socio-economic and/or ecological risk. • Such framings are problematic for effective adaptation policy decision-making. • We conducted a discourse analysis on a methods chapter in the Third UK Climate Change Risk Assessment. • Three key themes emerged around reductive methods, what constitutes 'opportunity' and transformational adaptation framing. • Social and political contexts of 'place-based' risk needs to be more central when assessing climate risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural and Agricultural Shows are rich in tradition but their role in the rural economy is evolving. The effective closure of the sector in the UK in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic led us to examine how rural Shows would re-emerge, as well as how subsequent economic challenges are influencing the future of Shows. The research draws on interviews with Show organisers and conversations with exhibitors while attending live events. Collectively, this has revealed the Shows have accelerated their digitalisation but also that the physical meeting space is critical to their social function. The research identified new expectations from exhibitors who have discovered alternative routes to market, including online, that are competing with the traditional Show space. Forward-thinking Show organisers are identifying methods to tap into these new online markets and offer complementary value to their exhibitors but those who closed for the duration of the pandemic are finding that they are now having to adapt more quickly to the changes that have occurred. • Rural Shows are adopting new digital tools as a result of the pandemic • Exhibitors at rural Shows are more selective and more aware of the value of Shows • The social and educational value of Shows demand greater support [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the ways in which businesses use and create diverse forms of rural capital, as an attempt to better understand the distinctive characteristics of “rural businesses”. We present three cases to explore the features that might lead us to describe them as being distinctively “rural businesses”. This adds to the debate about whether location alone is a sufficient parameter for defining rural-ness. The business cases were each established in rural areas of northern/central England. The cases were selected to fit an existing categorisation of rural businesses based on personal knowledge about the companies. Data were gathered through a combination of interviews and secondary materials. Findings indicate that the employment of rural capitals is a key dimension, alongside firm and market location, in distinguishing “rural businesses” from others. A clearer understanding of specifically “rural” characteristics of businesses can guide policy towards approaches that deal with rural challenges and support for businesses to harness characteristics and opportunities connected to rural places. We assert that such approaches would be better tailored to local conditions than broad-brush spatial policies. They also aid understanding of the dynamics of change in rural communities driven by local business development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a systematic review of 157 papers on digital developments and rural development in advanced countries. It focuses on the general conclusions, in order to better understand the potential impacts of the coming Next Generation Access revolution. We distinguish two major strands of research: connectivity research and inclusion research. In the connectivity theme, the conclusion is that there are persistent and growing differences in data infrastructure quality between urban and rural areas. Public policies to promote the availability or improvement of data infrastructure are essentially responsive, and rapidly outdated by market developments. For inclusion, the hampered diffusion of technologies, and the lower average levels of education and skills in rural areas have a negative impact on adoption and use. Generic policies in this field neglect specific local needs. The paradox is that rural communities are most in need of improved digital connectivity to compensate for their remoteness, but they are least connected and included. Future research should therefore focus on specific places and communities – combining both connectivity and inclusion issues – in order to inform ‘customized policies’ for poorly connected and digitally excluded rural communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper explores the ways that two rural counties are marketed, both as locations for enterprise and for tourist appeal. Secondary data sources and expert interviews provide the basis for a comparison of approaches in each case. To analyse marketing communication from the Cornish and Northumbrian tourism and regional development agencies, the Interaction Model of Communication and principles underpinning integrated marketing communications (IMC) are used. The research evaluates the fit of the marketing rhetoric against the perceptions and lived experiences of samples of business owners drawn from each county. A particular focus is apportioned to in-migrant business owners as they have had perceptions of their destination both before and after moving. It is discovered that social factors are highly significant, meaning that place marketers must engage with local communities as well as their external target audiences. This deeper understanding of the ways in which perceptions of place identity and reputation influence decision-making and communication offerings by local marketers, is a valuable insight for the way marketing is undertaken in, and of, rural areas. Beyond marketing, the findings demonstrate the significance of inter-relationships between social and economic influences in the rural economy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A case study of a self-termed ‘rural business’ is used to deconstruct the concept of a rural business and shed light on specific features of ‘operating in a rural area’ and ‘serving a rural population’. Alongside ‘selling a rural product’, the paper claims that these make up three parameters for categorising rural businesses. Highlighting these unique or niche features of a rural business makes is possible to recognise values that extend beyond financial measures. As such, this research provides a mechanism to support rural policy aimed at delivering both economic and community development objectives. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Tourism is viewed as an increasingly important component of rural economic potential, especially in peripheral regions of the UK. As a sector, however, it is dominated by low skilled employment, seasonal demand cycles and perceived low levels of innovation and entrepreneurship. In this paper we explore the role of in-migrant owners of small tourism firms (STFs) in promoting entrepreneurship and developing competition in the tourism economy of Northumberland. We hypothesise that through a combination of extra-local networks and local embeddedness these business owners are not only succeeding for themselves but they are stimulating other local businesses by increasing local trade, heightening competition and raising standards and aspirations among all STFs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]