We propose a new decentralised and emergent perspective on the institutionalisation of responsible innovation ‘in the wild’, complimenting the existing top-down, centralised account of structured settings. Drawing on case studies of heterogeneous networks of organisations jointly developing digital innovation projects for civil war settings, we identify heterogenous approaches to managing tensions between the conflicting institutional logics of ‘disruptive innovation’ and ‘social responsibility’, shaping the potential for institutional change. As the power and pervasiveness of digital innovation outpaces regulation for managing the consequences, the development of effective governance mechanisms has been recognised as a societal imperative. For policymakers seeking to promote responsible innovation our findings elevate the importance of cultivating organisationally diverse innovation networks, particularly in the context of digital innovation.
