Social Innovation

Sabine Weck, Ils Research Ggmbh 

Definition 

For a long time, academic research on innovation was mainly associated with the market sector. In recent years, however, our understanding of the innovation process has evolved, shifting beyond a primarily economic perspective to a more comprehensive concept that encompasses key actors and the nature of innovation. Thus, social entrepreneurs and civil society are also understood as producers or co-producers of innovation. The process of innovation is understood as a cross-sectoral one, creating value where the boundaries between the economic and social spheres are blurred, for example, through new coordination and governance mechanisms. The participatory and capacity-building aspects, as well as the understanding of a participatory society, directly or indirectly underpin social innovation in regional development thinking. Social innovation actors and processes draw on existing social capital and new, participatory and/or collaborative approaches to address a perceived social need or gap in local service provision and/or to respond to wider transformation challenges.

Background information and contemporary debate 

In recent decades, social innovation has emerged as a significant area of research across various disciplines, including management, economics, urban and regional development, and political science. In the context of profound transformations—whether due to climate change, economic crises, or social challenges—social innovation can play a crucial role in facilitating adaptation, resilience, and sustainable development. There are various streams of scholarship on social innovation, some more agentic-centred and others with a more structural perspective (Cajaiba-Santana, 2014; Moulaert et al., 2017). Authors have defined social innovations as more effective and efficient novel solutions (products, services, models) to meet social and societal needs (Phillis et al., 2008; Mulgan et al., 2007). Moulaert et al. (2005: 1976) emphasise governance and participation aspects and point to three dimensions of social innovation for local development, both analytical and normative, which are interrelated: the satisfaction of unmet human needs, new forms of governance and (civil society) participation, and an increase in society’s socio-political capability and capacity to act. Questions remain about the scalability and transferability of (small-scale) social innovations. However, authors have argued that social innovations can be transformative and support systemic change, as they can challenge and gradually replace dominant institutions in response to social needs and societal challenges (Avelino et al., 2019).

References

Avelino, F., Wittmayer, J. M., Pel, B., Weaver, P., Dumitru, A., Haxeltine, A., Kemp, R., Jørgensen, M. S., Bauler, T., Ruijsink, S. & O’Riordan, T. (2019). Transformative social innovation and (dis)empowerment. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 145, 195-206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2017.05.0020

Cajaiba-Santana, G. (2014). Social innovation: Moving the field forward. A conceptual framework. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 82, 42-51. doi: 10.1016/j.techfore.2013.05.008

Moulaert, F., Martinelli, F., Swyngedouw, E., & Gonzalez, S. (2005). Towards alternative model(s) of local innovation. Urban Studies, 42(11), 1669-1990

Moulaert, F., Mehmood, A., MacCallum, D., & Leubolt, B. (2017). Social innovation as a trigger for innovations. The role of research. Luxembourg. 

Phills Jr., J. A., Deiglmeier, K., & Miller, D. T. (2008). Rediscovering social innovation. Stanford Social Innovation Review, 6(4), 34–43. https://doi.org/10.48558/GBJY-GJ47