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Can Social Innovation and Agriculture Serve as a Turning Point in Rural Areas? Insights from a Bibliometric Literature Review

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Rural areas are facing major challenges and profound changes that directly affect the quality of life of rural populations. In this context, new ideas and opportunities are emerging, where social innovation initiatives are leading to solutions that attempt to revitalize the social fabric of rural areas. Considering this, the aim is to conduct a productivity measurement and a bibliometric analysis that examines the research landscapes of social innovations in rural areas. With a comprehensive analysis of 178 publications, this study examines main authors, countries, journals, research areas, and key themes in the field. The results show the relevance of principal areas such as agriculture, digitalization, and forestry. Alongside these, new organizational models are being developed, such as rural hubs, living labs, and community cooperatives. Future research could explore the role of these organizations in rural areas in greater depth.

Source: Metrics

DOI: 10.3390/metrics2030019

Authors: Mattia Mogetta, Deborah Bentivoglio, Giulia Chiaraluce, Giacomo Staffolani, Adele Finco

Institution: Marche Polytechnic University

Language: English

Topic: Rural development and sustainability

Subfield: General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,207