Research Reports

Through a series of major research projects led by global experts, GSN is identifying and explaining key issues, strategies and approaches that can help new platforms and new networks scale and become material on the global scene.

Much of our research has been made more accessible by presentation of key points in digests, mindmaps and infographics. See links in both “research” and “case study” tabs below.

Research Reports are presented in the order posted, most recent first:

Governance of the Internet’s Second Era

Don Tapscott and Alex Tapscott

The Evolving Role of Philanthropy in Global Problem Solving

Joan Bigham, Faizal Karmali and Jill Rundle

Role of Government in GSNs

Rob Fonberg

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Ensuring Sustainable Production Resources and Reducing E-Waste

Brian Martin, Andrea M. Schmidt, Mary Milner and Anthony Williams: Networked Solutions for the Electronics Industry

Global Diseases, Collective Solutions

Ben Ramalingam: Networking in the New Epidemic Age

digest of key points

A Bitcoin Governance Network

Alex Tapscott: The Multi-stakeholder Solution to the Challenges of Cryptocurrency

digest of key points

Role of Business in Global Problem Solving

Anthony Williams and James Daly

Crowdfunding

Richard Swart, PhD: A Roadmap for Global Solution Networks

Building Resilience

Kristy J. Buckley, Michael T. Lesnick, PhD and Rianne BeCraft

Cities on the Move

Greg Lindsay

Sowing the Seeds of Prosperity

Dan Herman and Anthony Williams

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Rethinking the United Nations for the Networked World

Bruce Jenks and Don Tapscott

Addressing the Climate Crisis

Edward M. Marshall, PhD (with Overview by Don Tapscott)

digest of key points

Food Security and Climate-Resilient Agriculture

Alastair Marke

digest of key points

A “Global Parliament of Mayors” Governance Network: Part I

Benjamin Barber, Richard Florida, Don Tapscott: The Concept

A “Global Parliament of Mayors” Governance Network: Part II

Benjamin Barber, Richard Florida, Don Tapscott: Putting Concept into Practice

Mobilizing Against Gender Injustice

Diane Francis: Global solution networks combating violence against women and girls

digest of key points

The Internet of Everything

Anthony D. Williams: The rise of pervasive computing in today’s increasingly connected and data-rich world, is revolutionizing…

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Orchestrating Global Solution Networks

Kenneth Abbott and Dr. Thomas Hale: A Guide for Organizational Entrepreneurs

mindmap of key points

Watchdog Networks

Kathryn Semogas: Revealing Problems and Issuing Calls to Action

Moving To Electronic Payments

Walid Hejazi: Implications for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

Global Standards Networks

Rawn Shah: The Frameworks for Common Operations, Transparency and Interoperability

Operational and Delivery Networks

Mahsa Hedayati: How They Work And How To Build One To Solve Global Problems

The Remarkable Internet Governance Network: Part I

Lynn St. Amour and Don Tapscott: Understanding a Global Multi-Stakeholder Ecosystem

The Remarkable Internet Governance Network: Part II

Lynn St. Amour and Don Tapscott:Moving to the Next Era

Knowledge Networks

Adam Killick: An analysis of three knowledge networks.

Policy Networks

Anthony D. Williams: Global Solution Networks are reshaping global decision-making using multi-stakeholder policy…

Advocacy Networks

Anthony D. Williams: As the Internet lowers the cost of collaboration, the world is witnessing a dramatic rise in…

Seven Power Tools for Global Solution Networks

Miriam Leia Bekkouche: GSNs are pioneering new approaches to tech design and delivery that provide access to ideas…

mindmap of key points

Financial Inclusion

Don Tapscott, Amit Kapoor, Jill Rundle: Barter to Bitcoins, Bricks and Mortar to Mobile– Developing 21st Century Financial Services…

digest of key points

Platforms for Global Problem Solving

Anthony D. Williams: How online platforms are revolutionizing social change.

Global Solution Networks: A Literature Review

Don Tapscott & Thomas Gegenhuber: Prior to the Global Solution Networks Program there has been no systematic study of global…

Mobile Computing and Global Problem Solving

Anthony D. Williams: Mobile computers—including smartphones, GPS wristwatches and tablets—are not only transforming…

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Globalization and Global Problem Solving

Pankaj Ghemawat: Is the scope of global problem solving too broad and too unmanageable, given the constraints.

Crowdsourcing Solutions to Global Problems

Anthony D. Williams: Nearly every global issue today—from air and water quality to the governance of global financial…

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New Tools for Tackling Poverty

Sara Boettiger: Very rarely, in the fight against poverty, do we come across a game-changer, but we have one now.

digest of key points

Introducing: Global Solution Networks

GSN Executive Director Don Tapscott: There is a fundamental change underway regarding how global problems can be solved, and perhaps how we govern . . .

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The foundational research for the Global Solution Networks program.

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Introducing: Global Solution Networks

Understanding the New Multi-Stakeholder Models for Global Cooperation, Problem Solving and Governance

Don Tapscott There is a fundamental change underway regarding how global problems can be solved, and perhaps how we govern …

Case Studies are presented in the order posted, most recent first:

INHOPE: International Association of Internet Hotlines GSN Case Study: INHOPE coordinates and promotes international efforts to protect children from online exploitation, as well as supporting member hotlines to do the same . . .	case infographic
The Fab Lab Network GSN Case Study: A global platform for digital invention, education and entrepreneurship. Can small manufacturing labs, with the tools and computing power . . .	case infographic
Digital Humanitarian Network GSN Case Study: Digital Humanitarians converged during the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti to help . . .	case infographic
LUUM GSN Case Study: Luum, an online platform, seeks to scale-up adoption of alternative transportation by providing…
C40 Cities GSN Case Study: The C40 Cities Climate Change Group was created for cities by cities.	case infographic
Global Footprint Network GSN Case Study: Global Footprint Network is addressing ‘overshoot’ – using resources faster than we are replacing them…	case infographic
OPENPediatrics GSN Case Study: OPENPediatrics is a web-based platform for teaching and exchanging ideas in pediatric care in 80 countries…	case infographic
Internet Governance Forum GSN Case Study: The mandate of the IGF is to provide an open, inclusive environment for policy discussions and debate…
J-Pal GSN Case Study: The Abdul Lateef Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a global knowledge network consisting of researchers…	case infographic
Akvo.org Global Solution Networks: Access to clean water and sanitation—taken for granted in affluent countries—is a daily problem…
Cloud Factory GSN Case Study: CloudFactory’s primary objective and mission is to connect one million people in the developing…
Global Water Partnership GSN Case Study: Managing water in the 21st century requires multi-stakeholder governance. The Global Water Partnership…	case infographic
Digital Study Hall GSN Case Study: Digital Study Hall is an operational and delivery network that delivers education to low-income…
Global Forest Watch GSN Case Study: A global solution network to protect the world’s forests…	case infographic