This chapter sets the scene for the Handbook on Frugal Innovation. First, it describes the origins of the concept of frugal innovation and its emergence as an academic field of interest. Then, main drivers behind frugal innovation are explored. From the scholarly discussion on frugal innovation major themes are distilled that inform the structure and contents of the Handbook. The final part of the chapter presents the structure of the Handbook and the chapters of the Handbook are briefly introduced.@en

This chapter’s aims to link frugal innovation (FI) to some theoretical notions. First, it presents a brief overview of what FI is in order to identify characteristics that can be linked to theoretical notions. Second it links the concept of FI to 1) existing theoretical notions on profit-induced innovators and how these contribute to economic development and transformation, and 2) a conceptual way of thinking based on social entrepreneurs and their motives and opportunities to overcome resource constraint by designing and developing frugal innovation. Two takeaways on furthering theoretical attempts to understand frugal innovations are presented. The first one is working out of Comprehensive Schumpeterian models where dynamic patterns of polycentric innovation networks can be examined thoroughly. The second way is working further on the role of (networks of) social entrepreneurs as frugal innovators and providing them a broader validity.@en

This pioneering Handbook details the origins of the concept of frugal innovation, its emergence as an academic field of interest, and the driving forces behind it. It presents new empirical evidence and critical perspectives on what frugal innovation entails, from a range of disciplines including science and engineering, humanities, and the social sciences.

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