Community-Centered Innovation Management for Sustainable Local Growth

Abstract

Background: Community-Centered Innovation Management for Sustainable Local Growth has practical relevance for community-facing organizations because visible activity does not necessarily translate into durable organizational or stakeholder outcomes. In sustainable local growth, managers must coordinate local needs, participation rules, service arrangements, resources, information, and follow-up commitments while responding to expectations from community organizations, local enterprises, residents, managers, and public or educational partners. A program may expand reach or participation and still underperform when responsibilities are unclear, information is fragmented, or unequal access. Aims: This article develops a capability-based framework explaining how community-centered innovation management may contribute to innovation quality, learning speed, and adaptability. It distinguishes simple activity from coordinated capability and identifies boundary conditions that can weaken otherwise positive relationships. Research Method: The paper uses an integrative conceptual review of established literature relevant to the focal domain, organizational capabilities, stakeholder relationships, and learning. It does not claim primary survey, interview, experimental, or transaction data. Results and Conclusion: The synthesis identifies four mutually dependent mechanisms: needs and problem clarity, inclusive participation, capability and resource alignment, and feedback and institutional learning. Their value depends on transparent governance, usable information, proportionate participation requirements, and a review process that converts exceptions into improvement. The article argues that higher activity alone is an inadequate indicator of success because benefits can coexist with hidden workload, exclusion, dependency, or weakened trust. Contribution: The article contributes a diagnostic framework, linked performance indicators, six propositions for empirical testing, and a fivestage implementation pathway that can be used in resource-constrained community organizations.