Factors for eco-innovation in Mexican rural communities. Analysis of case studies

Abstract

Some theoretical currents propose the study of eco-innovation as a central element for achieving environmental, economic, and social balance. From a local perspective, eco-innovation is a factor for the resolution of social, economic, and environmental problems that improve the quality of life of rural communities and promote local development. In this respect, the objective of this work is to analyze the factors that drive the creation of innovative sustainable projects in rural Mexican communities to enrich the concept of eco-innovation. The methodology is qualitative based on a documentary review of specialized books and scientific articles indexed in various databases. This article studies five sustainable and innovative cases of the agricultural sector where at least five factors were identified that allow undertaking eco-innovative proposals, such as economic, social, cultural, political, and legal factors.  It is concluded that the above factors do contribute to the concept of eco-innovation in that they broaden the conception of the term, making a notable difference in rural communities in the northern parts of the country, with respect to those in the south. Thus, eco-innovation is not a generic term that can be applied in the same way to all cases, but has nuances that differentiate the concept according to its socioeconomic context and the purposes of the organizations or communities.