Research — Projects
We deeply engage with organizations that do fantastic work. As qualitative researchers, we are committed to a scientific realist philosophy. We explore the causal architecture of phenomena to derive contextualized, valid, and therefore practical insights.
Keynote & Panel: Rethinking Innovation and Scaling
Exploring the characteristics of innovation processes and how innovation and scaling hang together to create impact.
Research Areas
Transformation and System Change
Understanding how organizations access, rationalize, and transform social systems, and how they can prepare for and legitimize system interventions.
Key Articles
Seelos, C., Mair, J., Traeger, C., & Nolting, F. (2025) Advancing Phenomenon-Based Research on Complex Societal Challenges: The Case of Homelessness. Research in the Sociology of Organizations 96, 25–50.
Mair, J., Seelos, C. (2021) Organizations, Social Problems, and System Change: Invigorating the Third Mandate of Organizational Research. Organization Theory.
Seelos, C. (2021) Homelessness, A System Perspective. The Journey of Community Solutions. Stanford Digital Repository.
Seelos, C. (2019) Changing systems? Welcome to the slow movement. Stanford Social Innovation Review 18(1), 40–47.
Seelos, C., Mair, J. (2018) Mastering system change. Stanford Social Innovation Review 16(4), 35–41.
Mair, J., Wolf, M., Seelos, C. (2016) Scaffolding: A process of transforming patterns of inequality in small-scale societies. Academy of Management Journal 59(6), 2021–2044.
Innovation and Scaling for Impact
Exploring the characteristics of innovation processes, how innovation and scaling hang together, and how they create impact.
Key Articles
Seelos, C., Baishenaly, N., Mair, J. (2026) Tolon’s World. Stanford Social Innovation Review (Spring 26), 16–25.
Seelos, C., Accone, T., & Campo, S. (2024) Innovating for a Healthy Context. Stanford Social Innovation Review.
Seelos, C. (2023) Zero-Problem Philanthropy. Stanford Social Innovation Review.
Seelos, C., Mair, J., & Traeger, C. (2022) The future of grand challenges research. International Journal of Management Reviews 25(2), 251–269.
Seelos, C., Mair, J. (2017) Innovation and Scaling for Impact: How Effective Social Enterprises Do It. Stanford University Press.
Seelos, C., Mair, J. (2016) When innovation goes wrong. Stanford Social Innovation Review 14(4), 27–33.
Seelos, Ch., Mair, J. (2007) Profitable business models and market creation in the context of deep poverty: A Strategic View. Academy of Management Perspectives 21, 49–63.