Anja Overdiek, Celina Whitehead and Armand van Oostrom
Over the past ten years, the ecosystem concept has been used to frame innovation and transition endeavours undertaken by multi-actor groups. Systemic design initiatives are broadly engaging with ecosystems. The concept and phenomenon have been central in theory as well as practice, though remain contested at its core. Is it an affiliating or structuring phenomenon? In how far can it be consciously designed and implemented? What really is the difference between a system and a social ecosystem? And how can its relational qualities be further developed by systemic design? To offer possible answers to these questions and unpack the concept from a relational perspective, we will revisit it through the lens of bricolage. Bricolage in theory of social practice is not a new approach but might be interesting to revitalise in times of political backlash to equitable and sustainable societal transitions. Bricolage describes how actors or bricoleurs inevitably improvise when responding to changing conditions. They make use of available resources and adaptations that align with their social and cognitive contexts and thus go beyond economic metrics to include cultural, social, ecological and ethical dimensions. Authors emphasise participatory methods, resilience and the integration of diverse knowledge systems. Applying the bricolage lens, we ask in this position paper: What are the most important relational aspects in popular ecosystem concepts? And how could bricolage as systemic design approach within ecosystems create collective structures and shape relational possibilities of resilience? We will conclude formulating a research agenda to develop relational and “bricoleur” ecosystems.
Keywords: social ecosystem, innovation ecosystem, bricolage, systemic ecosystem design RSD: Methods & Methodology, Socioecological Design Introduction