Scaling of innovations is an industrial and social process that leads to widespread use of an innovation. The potential of a production system to undergo this process is called its "scalability". Scaling is regarded the last step after the discovery, proof of concept and piloting of an innovation. In business it is often used as maximizing operational scale of the product.[1] This technology, or project-focused scaling takes products and services as the point of departure and wants to see those to go scale.[clarification needed] In the public sector, and for example in development aid, the desired impact is the point of departure and whatever leads to more impact is scaled (usually in the form of a range of innovations).[2] However, some authors recognize that the public sector often uses the business way of scaling to reach impact, leading to disillusionment and doing more harm than good.[3] Sometimes, scaling is seen as a process towards sustainable systems change at scale, where sustainability, systems change and responsible scaling are just as important as “reaching many”.[3]
- ^ McLean, Robert; Gargani, John (2019). Scaling impact: innovation for the public good. Oxon/NY: Routledge. ISBN 9780429468025.
- ^ Wigboldus, Seerp; Leewis, Cees. "Towards responsible scaling up and out in agricultural development. An exploration of concepts and principles". Discussion Paper. Centre for Development Innovation.
- ^ a b Woltering, L.; Fehlenberg, K.; Gerard, B.; Ubels, J.; Cooley, L. (November 2019). "Scaling – from "reaching many" to sustainable systems change at scale: A critical shift in mindset". Agricultural Systems. 176: 102652. doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2019.102652.