Wicked Problems and Entrepreneurial Thinking: Community-Led Research with Good Trouble Network YQR
Taking a community-led research approach to innovatively tackle social problems is what drives Dr. Peter Moroz, Professor of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Social Venturing with the Hill and Levene Schools of Business.
In 2023, Dr. Moroz partnered with Good Trouble Network YQR (GTN), a volunteer grassroots group that operates in Regina’s inner-city. GTN is rooted in Regina’s community and emerged to foster social justice, civic engagement, and progressive change. Originating from local activists driven by the belief that “good trouble” can spark meaningful reform, the network’s objectives include amplifying marginalized voices, challenging systemic inequities, and encouraging community-driven solutions through public dialogue and action.
During the three-month winter cold snap of 2024, GTN joined with other community groups to open a completely donation-run warming shelter to help prevent exposure deaths. Dr. Moroz found that this initiative led to many volunteers experiencing burnout and other costs, reducing the group’s overall capacity to sustain the effort.
In 2024, Dr. Moroz received a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Partnership Engage grant for his project, "Tackling Regina's Homeless Crisis through Entrepreneurship: Community Led Research and Prosocial Organizing." The grant was intended to help researchers gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by grassroots prosocial organizing groups, and of the benefits of using expertise from researchers to support the development of sustainable and innovative action plans.
Moroz believed it was important for his partners at GTN to take the lead in helping to define the way in which the research project would benefit the community.
“We found in the past with research partnerships that we come to the community, we ask our questions, we go off and we publish our results. Then the community goes. ‘Well, what was that for? It didn't help us at all.’ GTN is on the front lines. They really understand the problems and are true prosocial entrepreneurs. Innovations come from these communities working on the ground. By combining business and grassroots perspectives we’re striving to make their efforts sustainable as well as impactful”.
As their partnership continues, GTN has identified food security as one of the key issues facing Regina’s vulnerable population. Dr. Moroz is currently in the process of applying for grants to support GTN in addressing this issue.
Moroz’s research has led him to believe that there are many reasons for local businesses to become involved with, and invest in, the health of the local community. He states that a stronger community leads to a stronger economy. However, Moroz notes that many businesses already think this way when looking to provide community aid.
“You find small businesses in Regina doing all these little things that a lot of people don't really see. They may get a little bit of recognition but they're often doing things for the community because it helps make it stronger.”
Moroz points out that the collaborative efforts of many individuals, organizations and levels of government are needed in addressing social issues. He believes that approaching problems from the mindset of an entrepreneur can open new pathways for community-led solutions.
“What does an entrepreneur do? They see a problem and they solve it. We need to support that sort of thinking within the grassroots community, because business isn't just about creating profit. Business is about creating value for society.”
Through his research into empowering community organizations, Moroz is working to build awareness of the impact that prosocial involvement by collaborators such as business and civic leaders can have on social issues when partnered with community organizations.