Toward a Common Ontology of Scaling Up in Development

Abstract

Scaling up development measures to target global food insecurity has a distinctly spatial character and is often cited as a solution to the global hunger crisis. Development does not occur without scaling and consensus on the ontological meaning of scaling up is a vital component to developing sustainable solutions to the global hunger crisis across geographical scales. Yet 'scaling up', while frequently used throughout Research and Development (R&D) and Natural Resource Management (NRM) literature, lacks ontological agreement. We begin by considering the noun, 'scale' and existing literature on scaling up, then present a visual analysis of definitions provided for scaling up across development institutions. Our study finds that the organization of terms used across these definitions falls into three distinct categories: Interventions, Mechanisms, and Outcomes. Further, we contend that the continued uncertainty is linked to scale being applied in two fashions: as a noun (outcome) and verb (process). Rather than calling for reformed definitions, we argue for precision of definitions. To that end, we present a conceptual framework of scaling up that gives greater emphasis on separating the noun scale, from the verb, to scale. Further, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) in our model complements scaling efforts beginning with how scaling up is defined by program, through to final evaluation of success.

Beyond Diffusion: A Systematic Literature Review of Innovation Scaling

“…Moore et al [30] argued that specific strategies and processes could be identified for each type of scaling depending on one's goals, but also acknowledged the cross-cutting nature of these strategies. The approach of distinguishing between strategies for different types of scaling can also be seen in previous models and frameworks [19], or in papers that are attempting to develop "success strategies" for different types of scaling [17].…”

“…Notably, in the current academic discourse, innovation scaling has received relatively less attention than the other aspects of the innovation process (e.g., inception of novelty or its diffusion). One field where scaling innovation is particularly popular, however, is in sustainability studies, where scaling and innovation are viewed as key components for sustainable management, development, and growth [16][17][18][19][20]. Though popular, a clear and widely agreed upon definition of scaling remains absent, and so too is a comprehensive theoretical framework for understanding the entire scaling process.…”

Scenarios for a Scaling-up System for Organic Cassava Production in the Mekong River Basin: A Foresight Approach

“…Human resources are a key driver at all levels of system upscaling [26,54]. At the local institutional level, the leaders of farmers' groups can lead discussions about self-motivation for the OCS transformation.…”

“…A trusted and successful scaling-up system that accommodates the strengths of various systems and approaches to enhance the capacities of actors is needed and still lacking [25]. An efficient scaling-up system can be seen as a mechanism to achieve the effective implementation of development plans and programs [26].…”

On smallholder farm and farmer diversity

“…Scaling of a particular technology or technique refers to the increase (e.g. number) or expansion (geographically) of its use (Frake and Messina, 2018;Millar and Connell, 2010). According to Wigboldus et al (2016), scaling may be promoted by a push-approach (promoting the value of specific changes) or a pull-approach (changing enabling conditions).…”