Social Innovation

Social innovation is hailed as a means to create lasting social changes. It refers to the process of developing and implementing new ideas, strategies, and solutions to address social ills and environmental issues affecting people. It therefore entails generating impact to tackle issues such as poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, access to healthcare and community development.

Definition:

Social innovation is defined as “new ideas that address unmet social needs – and that work” (Mulgan et al., 2007, p.2). It is highlighted as a contributor to sustainability (Howaldt, 2015) and as business students, we have an opportunity to participate and create solutions to numerous longstanding social issues.

Modern day business understands the importance of contributing to sustainable development.

What does it involve:

There are some fundamental characteristics of social innovation. All these present an opportunity for business graduates to shape and positively influence society:

• Creativity and novelty: Social innovation involves thinking outside the box to find new solutions to deep rooted social challenges

• Empowerment and inclusivity: It emphasizes the participation of diverse stakeholders in any community such as government, non-profits and corporations.

• Collaboration and partnership: By working with different stakeholders, organisations can leverage their unique strengths and resources 

• Adaptability and scalability: Flexibility and adaptation to changing community needs and circumstances.

• Sustainability and long term impact: Social innovation involves long term solutions that are cognizant of important environmental and social issues

Examples of social innovations:

Examples vary and include microfinance initiatives, social enterprises, community based programs and renewable energy projects. These initiatives would leverage technology, entrepreneurship and community mobilization to address pressing social challenges and improve the well being of individuals and communities

References:

Howaldt, J., Kopp,R. & Schwarz,M. (2015). Social innovations as drivers of social change- exploring Tarde's contribution to social innovation theory building In A. Nicholls, Simon, J. & Gabriel, M. (Ed.), New Frontiers in Social Innovation Research. Palgrave MacMillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137506801

Mulgan, G., Tucker, S., Ali, R. & Sanders, B. (2007). Social Innovation: What it is, why it matters and how it can be accelerated. Oxford.

Phillips, A., Luo, R., & Wendland-Liu, J. (2024). Shifting the paradigm: a critical review of social innovation literature International Journal of Innovation Studies, 8, 45-58. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijis.2023.08.003