Case studies: Community examples

These case studies highlight how communities mobilise collective capacity to address complex, locally grounded challenges. They show how Strategic Doing helps diverse participants—often with no formal authority over one another—align around shared outcomes, build trust through action, and sustain momentum over time. The emphasis is on practical collaboration, inclusive participation, and progress that reflects the lived realities of communities rather than abstract plans.

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Shoals Shift: An Ecosystem Transformation Success Story

In the Muscle Shoals region of North Alabama, the University of North Alabama (UNA) and its partners launched the Shoals...
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Past, present and future barriers to digital transformation in manufacturing: a review

Research in digital transformation (DT) is burgeoning. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic has not only influenced both day-to-day functions of firms...
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Stimulating & Supporting Change in Entrepreneurship Education: Lessons from the Front Lines

This paper describes Pathways to Innovation (Pathways), a national program that uses a team-based guided change process to help faculty...
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Social Networks, Strategic Doing and Sustainable Management of Local Food Systems

In recent years there has been increasing interest in many communities across the United States in developing local food systems....
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Richmond, Indiana: Rapid Pandemic Response

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Richmond, Indiana, used Strategic Doing to quickly form collaborations and deliver quarantine care packages to vulnerable...
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Tippecanoe County, Indiana: Tackling Opioid Addiction

Tippecanoe County brought together public health agencies, law enforcement, nonprofits, and residents to address opioid addiction. Strategic Doing enabled the...
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Duquesne University: Fostering Community Health Partnerships

Duquesne University's Center for Community-Engaged Teaching and Research (CETR) aimed to expand its work in economically underserved neighborhoods of Pittsburgh....
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Milwaukee Water Council: Building a Global Hub from Local Strengths

In 2007, civic leaders in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, along with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, envisioned establishing the city as a global...
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Changing the Conversation in Flint

The city of Flint, Michigan, has faced immense challenges, from high rates of youth violence and teenage homicides to a...
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