“People-Centred Innovation: Theories, Practices and Interdisciplinary Approaches”

Call for Papers – Special Issue: “People-Centred Innovation: Theories, Practices and Interdisciplinary Approaches”

Journal: Technovation
Publisher: Elsevier
Submission deadline: 31 July 2026

Overview

This special issue—published by Elsevier—explores the paradigm shift from technology-centric or firm-driven innovation models toward People-Centred Innovation (PCI). Recognizing that innovation must do more than improve individual user experiences, this issue seeks to advance the field by addressing societal challenges like sustainability and social equity. It invites multidisciplinary research that moves beyond standard design thinking or user-innovation frameworks to examine how diverse stakeholders, communities, and decentralized ecosystems can collaborate to generate transformative, socially aligned value.

Key Research Themes

• Theoretical Foundations: Developing a unified framework for PCI and distinguishing it from related approaches like human-centred design or open innovation.

• Societal Impact: Rigorous empirical assessments of how PCI contributes to well-being, quality of life, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Digital Intersections: The dual role of digital tools (AI, blockchain, Big Data) in supporting or hindering inclusive, people-centred processes.

• Ecosystem Dynamics: Governance structures for decentralized, distributive ecosystems; managing tensions in co-creation; and moving incumbent systems toward people-centred practices.

• Contextual Diversity: Exploring PCI across different cultural/social dynamics, resource-constrained settings, and the gig/platform economy.

• The "Dark Side": Examining rebound effects, unanticipated negative consequences, and ethical concerns inherent in people-centred approaches.

Submission Details

• Submission deadline: 31 July 2026.

• Submission portal: https://www2.cloud.editorialmanager.com/technovation/default2.aspx

• Special Instructions: You must select the article type “VSI: People-Centred Innovation” during submission and explicitly mention the submission's relevance to the special issue in your cover letter.

• Submission Standards: The journal welcomes theoretical frameworks, representative case studies, interdisciplinary research, and empirical analyses. All manuscripts must adhere to the Technovation Guide for Authors.

Guest Editor Team

• Jin Chen, Tsinghua University (chenjin@sem.tsinghua.edu.cn)

• Leonardo Augusto de Vasconcelos Gomes, University of São Paulo (lavgomes@usp.br)

• Alexander Brem, University of Stuttgart (alexander.brem@eni.uni-stuttgart.de)

• Stelvia Matos, University of Surrey (s.matos@surrey.ac.uk)

• Senmao Xia (Corresponding Editor), University of Surrey (s.xia@surrey.ac.uk)

Why This Issue Matters

As innovation ecosystems become more complex and globalized, there is a critical need to ground "people-centred" concepts in rigorous theory. This special issue provides a high-impact platform to consolidate fragmented research, establish universal principles, and guide practitioners in designing innovation processes that are as ethically sound as they are commercially successful. It is a defining opportunity to set the research agenda for the next generation of inclusive, socially impactful innovation.

ServiceSetu Academics — Premier Platform for Academic Opportunities & Research Collaboration

Visit official website of the publisher