What happens when an initiative rooted in social movements begins to grow? Does it hold on to its founding principles, or does success force it to compromise? For many community-driven efforts, expansion typically brings new stakeholders, regulatory pressures, and market dynamics that can dilute the original vision. 

Guifi.net, a community-driven telecommunications network in Spain, is one such example. It began as a grassroots, non-profit initiative to connect rural Catalonia to the internet. Over time, it evolved into one of the world’s largest community-led telecom networks. Unlike many moral markets that have lost their identity over the years, Guifi.net has grown into a major player while remaining dedicated to an open, neutral, and community-led internet.  

A study by Esade researchers Daniel Arenas, Joan Rodon, and Mireia Yter explores how Guifi.net grew while keeping its principles, offering insights for initiatives and organizations facing similar challenges. Their work is published in the Journal of Management Studies.

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Artículo publicado en Esade Do Better