Conceptualising institutional complexity in the upscaling of community enterprises: Lessons from renewable energy and carsharing

Community enterprises may play pivotal roles in sustainability transitions but have received limited attention in the transitions literature. This paper proposes a framework for theorising the challenges that community enterprises face as they scale up due to the rising institutional complexity of their organisational model, combining the institutional logics of community, market, and corporation. We conceptualise the upscaling processes of community enterprises by distinguishing between the community volunteerism phase, the niche creation phase and the niche expansion phase. We formulate nine propositions on how institutional complexity arises and on possible mechanisms to manage it in each phase of the upscaling process. Our theoretical framework is supported by empirical research on carsharing and renewable energy initiatives in Western Europe. The paper concludes with some avenues for further research on community enterprises in sustainability transitions.

Automated summary

Community enterprises' significance in sustainability transitions has been overlooked in the transitions literature. This paper presents a theoretical framework to analyze the challenges faced by community enterprises as they scale up. By distinguishing between different phases, the study formulates propositions on managing institutional complexity. Empirical research on carsharing and renewable energy initiatives in Western Europe supports the theoretical framework. Further research avenues on community enterprises in sustainability transitions are suggested.