Social Enterprise Innovation: A Quantitative Analysis of Global Patterns

Social enterprise and innovation are inextricably linked in the literature (Chell et al. in Entrepr Reg Dev 22(6):485–493, 2010; Dees in Harv Bus Rev 76:54, 1998; Light in Stanf Soc Innov Rev 4(3):47–51, 2006). To date, research on social enterprise innovation has predominantly focused on micro-level factors, such as the social entrepreneur or organizational attributes. Inversely, recent empirical advances on social enterprise find a country’s social enterprise sector is influenced by macro-institutional factors, including form of government, stage of economic development, culture and model of civil society (Monroe-White and Coskun, in: Shaping social enterprise: understanding institutional context and influence, Emerald Publishing Limited, London, pp 27–48, 2017). Given the link between social enterprise and innovation, recent empirical findings around social enterprise beg the question, do macro-institutional factors similarly predict innovation by social enterprises? This paper uses a hierarchical linear model to examine the influence of national-level variables on social enterprise innovation. Results indicate that similar to social enterprise, macro-institutional factors predict social enterprise innovation. More specifically, macro-institutional factors influence the various types of innovations (product, process and marketing) differently. Moreover, country-level innovation is traditionally defined by economic factors, such as R&D funding and STEM workforce, however, these factors do not help explain social enterprise innovation. Given the social aspects of social enterprise innovation, to capture the full scope of innovation within countries, expanded definitions of national-level innovation should be considered.     

Gender dimensions in women’s networking for social innovation

Even if the number of research studies on social innovation has increased the last years, due to its perceived potential to address complex societal challenges, there still remains several relevant aspects to be explored, such as the impact of gendered norms and patterns on the transition from social inclusion to social exclusion strived for in social innovation processes. In order to further expand the dawning scientific field of social innovation, this article presents a case study of a Swedish network promoting women’s employment, entrepreneurship and innovation, exploring the complex and multiple gender aspects of social innovation. The potentials and delimitations of the network to address gender on various levels of social innovation is scrutinized by means of previous research on social and gender dimensions of innovation and organizational/societal change, exposing that further development of social innovation as a scientific field requires a comprehensive approach to the identification and analysis of the gendered norms, subordination and empowerment that affect the aspired transition from social exclusion to social inclusion in social innovation processes.     

Executive Leadership and Social Innovation in Direct-Service Nonprofits: Shaping the Organizational Culture to Create Social Change

Direct-service nonprofits have taken on increasing responsibility in creating social change (operationalized through the concept of social innovation) within local communities. Qualitative interviews were conducted with executive directors to determine the factors within the intra-organizational environment that support an orientation toward social innovation. Findings show that aspects related to staff engagement and development and direction by the executive leadership team are particularly important. The findings provide a conceptual model of the varying intra-organizational dynamics that support the development of a social innovation-oriented organizational culture. This research offers a focus for social work education programs to equip practitioners with the skills needed in contemporary practice.     

网络舆情与城市社会管理的关系模式初探

在城市社会管理的语境中,网络舆情就是公众通过互联网就城市相关的公共问题和社会管理者所表达的意见、态度的总和。本文分析了城市社会管理中网络舆情的特点,并结合实际案例,提出网络舆情与城市社会管理具有刺激、沟通和邀约三种关系模式。在此基础上笔者认为城市社会管理应在平台、主体和制度三方面进行创新。     

Teaching Note—Incorporating Social Innovation Content Into Macro Social Work Education

The practice of social innovation offers promising approaches for addressing social issues. Although many social innovation strategies are congruent with macro social work theory and practice, some of the insights and tactics that have emerged in the social innovation field have the potential to strengthen current macro practice. Based on our experiences with the social innovation program at the Boston College School of Social Work, we focus on 5 aspects of the social innovation cycle and suggest social innovation content that can be incorporated into macro social work curriculum.     

Instrumental and Non-instrumental Factors of Social Innovation Adoption

We investigate social innovation adoption and extend instrumental factors of adoption intention by including non-instrumental factors. We argue that, from a market-based perspective, conventional innovation adoption models based on instrumental factors do not fully consider specific characteristics of social innovations. Our objective is to improve the explanatory power of conventional adoption models by including symbolic, emotional, and motivational factors as non-instrumental factors. We conducted two empirical studies in which we investigated younger adults’ adoption intentions regarding time-bank-based senior cooperatives. The results extend the findings of conventional adoption research and show that explanatory power can be substantially improved by including non-instrumental factors. The results contribute to the understanding of social innovation adoption and indicate limited generalizability of conventional innovation adoption research to social innovations. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.     

Social innovation as a collaborative concept

The rise of social innovation expresses a discontent with innovation as we know it, and its ability to deliver just and sustainable outcomes. Yet, social innovation is also notoriously vague as a concept, thereby putting into doubt whether the concept offers any real improvements or alternatives. This paper issues an invitation to think about social innovation as a collaborative concept. The conceptual framework shows collaboration, rather than contestation, to offer a space for the working together of different perspectives and actors. The collaborative concept frame welcomes and seeks to explain a diversity of uses. Singling out key features of social innovation as a collaborative concept, it seeks to contribute to an emerging practice that makes different contributions part of a progressive conversation about social innovation, the evaluative ideas associated with it and the evidence from policies and projects. Identifying transformative, taxonomical and transitional–sceptical uses of social innovation, the paper highlights the importance of analysing the evaluative aspects of the multisectoral reconfigurations associated with social innovation so as to keep track of its role for justice and sustainability.     

网络时代上海社会管理创新研究

社会管理创新是一个时代课题。随着以信息技术为支撑的网络社会的逐步形成和深入发展,虚拟网络已经渗透到现实社会生活的各个方面,成为人们社会交往的重要渠道和实现人际关系的重要载体。网络社会对上海社会运行的影响力逐渐强化,现实社会对网络社会的依赖性与日俱增。网络时代的到来,对上海的社会管理工作带来了全新的命题。一方面网络为城市社会管理提供了新的手段和方式;另一方面网络也对上海现有的社会管理体制形成较大的挑战。深入揭示网络社会与现实社会的互动关系及内在机理,阐明网络传播对现实社会管理产生的种种影响,把握利用网络加强社会管理的有效方式,构建涵盖网络社会与现实社会的社会管理的新体制与新机制,是上海社会管理创新的一项重要任务。     

‘Understanding the effects of social capital on social innovation ecosystems in Latin America through the lens of Social Network Approach’

This paper explores the role of social capital in creating social innovation ecosystems and fostering social impact. We examine two cases, chosen for their pioneering experiences in the field of tackling poverty in Latin America: Socialab and Compartamos con Colombia. Focusing on their structure of interactions (through network-level and node-level indicators), we examine the structural characteristics of the two ecosystems studied. We then correlate relational data to study the association between perceived social impact and the structural aspects. Results confirm heterophilic ecosystems and high levels of perceived impact as good drivers for strengthening future collaborations.     

基于众创空间的大学生创新创业教育对策

当前高校创新创业教育存在教育经验不足,服务与需求难匹配;教育模式单一,理论与实践难统一;教育系统壁垒,高校与社会难互动等现实问题。众创空间为高校的创新创业教育提供了全新的环境,弥合校内创新创业教育与社会创新创业教育相对割裂的状态,打通社会资源参与高校创新创业教育的通道。基于众创空间的高校创新创业教育,在探索适合高校创新创业教育的良性生态系统中推进高校创新创业教育的升级转型,如规范高校创新创业教育的管理,营造创业生态环境氛围,完善创业指导扶持系统,构建创新创业教育合作新模式。     

Social innovation and ICT in social services: European experiences compared

Innovation in social services and social policies in the European welfare systems is an evolving phenomenon stimulated by socio-demographic, cultural and economic changes. Many social service innovations are linked to disruptive technologies, especially the introduction of information and communication technology (ICT). To discuss the effects of disruptive technologies on health and social services, this article first proposes a framework consistent with the social innovation paradigm. Secondly, based on case-studies, it investigates different models of social and health service innovation driven by technology. The article shows advantages and disadvantages of service innovation driven by technology, and offers some final remarks about future challenges for ICT in health and social services. More evidences of effectiveness and efficiency are necessary to promote public and private investment to implement solutions on a wider scale. However, the impacts of technology-based solutions cannot be measured only in terms of economic aspects but also taking into account whether new technologies really provide the opportunity for citizens to have a better life and advocacy for their rights.     

政府向社会组织购买公共服务的问题与对策分析

政府向社会组织购买公共服务是我国公共服务制度的重要创新,对节约政府开支,提高公共服务效果有着重要意义。这种做法正在探索之中,购买程序、购买内容、定价、资金来源、评估机制等都存在着问题,需从两大方面探求解决途径,即政府应加大培养社会组织的力度,从法律法规层面上健全制度设计。     

Is Social Innovation Fostering Satisfaction and Well-Being at Work? Insights from Employment in Social Enterprises Providing Long-Term Eldercare Services

Considering insights from socio-economics, work psychology, and occupational health, this study focuses on the job satisfaction and well-being of employees working in nonprofit social enterprises (SE). We question the idea suggested by the recent literature that working for a SE brings employees a high level of job satisfaction and well-being. We also investigate whether being involved in social innovation is associated with even higher job satisfaction and well-being. Indeed, understood as a manifestation of positive social change, social innovation is expected to improve outcomes such as the quality of life at work. However, because social innovation is an umbrella concept, it embraces different innovation-related concepts. Here we explore the distinction between service innovation and workplace innovation. This article applies a multivariate analysis to an original dataset covering 1134 employees working in the field of elder homecare in Wallonia. Its implications for social entrepreneurs and scholars are also examined.     

论政府社会管理创新中发掘“社会”的功能——以茂名市“平安茂南”建设为例

我国政府社会管理正在摆脱传统行政体制的约束,并逐步向现代政府社会管理体制转型。而转型所指向的新体制,其核心特点是,能尽可能地利用"社会"性资源并发挥社会资源的功能。当前,治安有序的平安社会之塑造,是政府社会管理创新的重要主题,而茂南区"以民促安"新型治安防控体系的建立,在扭转当地严峻治安形势的同时,还在公共治安体制的创新上、在政府与社会关系的重构上,提供了可供借鉴与复制的范例,这在社会管理创新语境下很具关注价值。     

Connecting entrepreneurship with policy experimentation? The EU framework for social innovation

This article investigates how “social innovation” made its way onto the European Union (EU) agenda and how this notion has been creatively used to advance distinct policy goals. It does so by analysing the resources the EU provided to promote social innovation over the period 2006–2014. Three main conclusions arise. First, between 2006 and 2010 the label social innovation was rarely used, although several EU instruments and processes supported it. Second, throughout 2009–2010, the European Commission’s Bureau of European Policy Advisers played a key agenda setting role in flagging social innovation on the eve of the Europe 2020 Strategy. Consequently, and third, since 2010 social innovation has been explicitly mainstreamed into the EUs new growth strategy. This phase is characterized by a stronger emphasis on “social entrepreneurship” and “social experimentation”. As a result, social innovation has become an important tool in the European Semester’s focus on the reform of the welfare state.     

THE SOCIAL CONTEXT OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE: The Case of the Retail Food Industry

Technological innovations result not just from advances in science, but also social system reorganization. Reorganization is problematic, as various organizations and constituents pursue their interests and causes. Expanding on previous work in the economics and sociology of innovation, three cases from the retail food industry (frozen meat, boxed beef, and scanners) illustrate the process described in a politicized-context model of innovation. Market context, political contingencies, and established social relations all influence innovations. Thus, including these factors in the politicized-context model provides better understanding of the particular paths of innovation.     

Boundary dimensions of social innovation: negotiating conflicts and compatibilities when developing a national agenda

In order to add to the existing knowledge on the complex institutional dynamics of negotiating conflicts and compatibilities in innovation processes that address societal challenges and social needs, this article scrutinizes the scientific and societal debate on the theoretical and practical application of “social innovation” by means of the concept “boundary object” linked to institutional theory. A participatory case study of the development of an R&I agenda for social innovation in Sweden, formulated through dialog between stakeholders from the public, private and non-profit sectors, is presented. The results show that the unpredictable, emergent, evolving and adaptable character of needs, challenges and solutions in social innovation processes is made more theoretically and practically manageable by acknowledging social innovation as a boundary object. This is since this concept, despite its ambiguous character, helps balance complexity and usefulness in a way that serves to expand existing knowledge on institutional dynamics.     

DIY culture and extended milieux: LETS, veggie boxes and festivals

The wave of DIY culture and environmental innovation sweeping through the UK is not restricted to isolated sites of high profile protest, such as the Newbury bypass. Based on fieldwork in the South West of England, consisting of in-depth interviews, participant observation, focus groups and a postal survey, we argue that networks such as those around festivals, LETS and organic food box schemes contribute to green milieux, which encourage ecological and cultural innovation of everyday life. We suggest that this creative social and ecological margin may be viewed as extended milieux combining global and local aspects. Local social relations and identities are reconfigured in new reflexive ways that utilize, criticise and even contribute to globalization, while developing new senses of locality and community.     

创新“城中村”社区治理的对策思考——以泉州市城东片区四社区为研究对象

创新"城中村"社区治理工作,是有效推进社会管理的重要内容。近年来泉州市在"城中村"社区治理方面进行了积极探索,并取得明显成效。要实现以"城中村"社区治理工作的创新推动城市管理创新,泉州应该在社区治理主体多元化、社区工作方式民主化、居民保障水平提高、社区管理者素质提升、社区文化建设加强等五个方面继续推进各种有益探索。     

Innovation as a structural interest: rethinking the impact of network position on innovation adoption

The act of adopting an innovation is argued to be a type of structural interest. The proposed conception of innovation as a structural interest describes how a potential adopter perceives utility in innovating as a function of his position in network(s) of relations with other potential adopters. Implications of the concept are in accord with diffusion research describing the linkage between social structure and innovation in terms of a potential adopter's social integration. The proposed concept avoids, however, three ambiguities in translating social integration into a structural concept stated in terms of network position. Moreover, it extends the scope of earlier work to suggest new connections between social structure and innovation.In order to make empirical implications explicit, hypotheses for a reanalysis of the classic Medical Innovation data are described. The proposed conception of innovation states the utility a doctor should perceive in prescribing a new drug as a function of his position in professional and social networks among other doctors in his community. The hypotheses predict when a doctor should begin prescribing a new drug and the relative importance of his personal characteristics versus network position as the determinant of when he begins prescribing the new drug.