There is a need for a novel approach to responsible scaling. With this we mean studying how innovators, together with a broad group of stakeholders, can already from the start of the innovation process take important conditions for successful scaling into account, such as alignment with regulations, user practices, business models, societal values and ethical considerations. By taking such a proactive approach, we aim to prevent that innovators simply diffuse as they see fit, without considering what society finds important.

In this WP we develop theories and methods for responsible scaling inspired by key enabling methods like participatory action research and co-creation. Together with the involved stakeholders, the proposal applies and validates the methods in field labs that are created in the context of two cases in mental healthcare, on capacity management (WP2) and personalized treatment (WP3).

Ultimately, we build a responsible scaling toolkit. This toolkit includes tools to getting to know each other’s view of the world, assumptions, interests and demands; adopt to local circumstances; gather multiple views of the problem and solution domain; organize the innovation process as an iterative route; develop business models; assess and monitor the innovation process; and making decisions on the courses of action based on decision trees.