scholarly journals Public Policy for Social Innovations and Social Enterprise—What’s the Problem Represented to Be?

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7972
Author(s):  
Jörgen Johansson ◽  
Jonas Gabrielsson
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Social Sustainability ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Social Dimension ◽  
Equilibrium Strategy ◽  
Policy Area ◽  
Social Innovations

Social innovations and social enterprise have been seen as innovative measures to achieve sustainable development. Drawing on an evaluation of a development project on creating social enterprises in Sweden, this article analyzes social innovations as a policy area. The policy area is often described as loaded with ideological contradictions. The aim of the article is to explore underlying premises and discourses in policy implementation aimed at creating social innovations in a comparison between two ideal types on social sustainability—(1) an individual activation strategy (responsibilization of the individual) and (2) a societal equilibrium strategy (balancing social values). The research question is inspired by Carol Bacchi’s policy theory and asks what is the problem represented to be? The analysis is carried out at the micro-level as a context-sensitive approach to explore articulations made among actors creating the policy and entrepreneurs participating in a locally organized project. The article contribute with a better understanding of how societal problems and their solutions are discursively determined, with implications for policy makers and project managers active in this policy area. The analysis and findings indicate a significant policy shift during the implementation process. Initially, the policy idea consisted of well-considered ambitions to create a long-term sustainable development. During the implementation of the project, the problem’s representation changes gradually in the direction towards individual activation. This transition is driven by pragmatic difficulties of defining the policy area, problems of separating means from ends, and the need to make decisions based on a limited range of information. We conclude by emphasizing the need for reflection on how the social dimension is defined when implementing social innovation strategies. Furthermore, there is a lack of studies of how this policy area can be linked to policies for social sustainability.

Utilization of Online Platforms by Social Entrepreneurs for Social Sustainable Development

2019 ◽  
pp. 75-102
Author(s):  
Anja Herrmann-Fankhänel
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Market Orientation ◽  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Resource Dependence ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Social Entrepreneurs ◽  
Online Platforms ◽  
The Social ◽  
Start Ups

Socially sustainable development can be driven by individuals, entrepreneurs, growing start-ups, and international companies. As social entrepreneurs, people opt for a form of organization that contributes to social improvement through entrepreneurial means. The question is: How do they do it? The resource dependence approach (RDA) assumes that all decisions and activities of a (social) enterprise are based on information about its environment. Therefore, the four key components of the social enterprise (individual, organization, social innovation, market orientation) must be appropriate. In this chapter, therefore, social enterprises are outlined as active participants and shapers of the economy and society. Since an active improvement with regard to socially sustainable development is focused by the social enterprises in Africa, a description of the social enterprise's environment is also given within the framework of topical focuses. The goal is to derive recommendations about action for social enterprises to achieve their goals.

Reimagining Social Innovation and Social Enterprise for Industrial Revolution 4.0

2021 ◽  
pp. 337-358
Author(s):  
Roopinder Oberoi ◽  
Walter Mswaka ◽  
Francisco José B. S. Leandro ◽  
Michael Snowden ◽  
Jamie P. Halsall
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Theoretical Analysis ◽  
Technological Innovation ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
The Social

This exploratory study aims at understanding the social aspects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution by suggesting how the interface involving technological innovation and social innovation can resolve societal and socioeconomic problems with stress on sustainable development. The authors view social innovation and social enterprise as new amalgam for solving social problems in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. By applying theoretical analysis of the existing literature about the correlation between the Fourth Industrial Revolution and social innovation and social enterprise, they aim to describe the opportunities, forms, and the challenges unfolding in this new age. UK and China case studies will provide the empirical evidences that could support social innovators and social enterprises understand the implications in fields of application of the Fourth Industrial Revolution plus the interplay between them.

How social entrepreneurship can contribute to upscale social innovation practices?

2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 0-0
Keyword(s):  
Social Entrepreneurship ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Social Innovations ◽  
Theories Of Change ◽  
Innovation Practices

In this paper, we address the research question of to what extent is it possible to discern theories of change being built into the business practices of nascent social enterprises in ways that lay foundations for the subsequent upscaling of their social innovations? We argue that social enterprises that are ‘ready-to-upscale’ are those that clearly produce a solution to an underlying problem, and where their activities are clearly derived from the underlying problem, and also those activities clearly connect forward to deliver consistent solutions. We apply a Theories of Change approach to the concept of social entrepreneurship as a means of setting a criterion for ‘ready-to-upscale’, studying six Sri Lankan micro-social enterprises in which we can trace stories of impact. This provides a means to develop a model of the ways that social entrepreneurship creates the foundations for structural changes that reduce systematic inequalities, and offers social enterprise funders a framework to better stimulate emergence of social enterprises ready-to-upscale and deliver social innovation.

scholarly journals Promotion of Social Innovation through Fab Labs. The Case of ProteinLab UTEM in Chile

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 8790
Author(s):  
Macarena Valenzuela-Zubiaur ◽  
Héctor Torres Bustos ◽  
Mónica Arroyo-Vázquez ◽  
Pablo Ferrer-Gisbert
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Quadruple Helix ◽  
Third Mission ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Social Challenges ◽  
Mixed Analysis ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Effective Instrument

Fab Labs as manufacturing laboratories that stimulate innovation and collaboration are nowadays proliferating within universities. Given the new social challenges, framed within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), we formulate the following research question: Are Fab Labs an effective tool for the promotion of social innovation from universities? To answer this question, a mixed analysis has been carried out focusing on the case of ProteinLab UTEM. The approach aims to generate a model for the promotion of social innovation from universities through Fab Labs, linking the quadruple helix actors. The objective of this model is to show how Fab Labs can become an effective instrument to promote social innovation from universities. The contribution of this article lies in linking Fab Labs with social innovation through the university’s third mission. Our approach considers Fab Labs as an instrument for the development of social innovations within the university, which contribute, through the third mission, to the social and sustainable development of its environment. As a result of this research, a model is presented for the development of social innovation from universities through Fab Labs. Our research concludes that Fab Labs are an effective instrument for the promotion of social innovation from universities.

scholarly journals Women empowerment through social innovation in indigenous social enterprises

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 164-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARIO VAZQUEZ MAGUIRRE ◽  
GLORIA CAMACHO RUELAS ◽  
CONSUELO GARCIA DE LA TORRE
Keyword(s):  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Managerial Decision ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Political Empowerment ◽  
And Gender

ABSTRACT Purpose: To explore innovative enabler mechanisms for women's empowerment in a social enterprise and how they promote local development in a Zapotec indigenous community, the third largest ethnic group in Mexico. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: This paper contributes to the extension of social entrepreneurship literature from a gender perspective, exploring the mechanisms that allow women to succeed in highly marginalized indigenous communities. Key methodological aspects: This paper follows a case study methodology, inductive approach and qualitative methods mainly through 70 in-depth interviews. Summary of key results: Although the male-dominated culture slows down the democratic and political empowerment of women in the community, mechanisms such as job stability, low-interest microcredits and gender-equality policies in the organization have triggered economic empowerment. Key considerations/conclusions: The creation of empowering mechanisms within the social enterprise has allowed the Zapotec community to prosper and increase its general wellbeing. Women have been particularly benefited since the organization has given them the opportunity to work, empowering them to create micro-enterprises and changing the prevailing culture towards a more equalitarian society. Increasing control of their source of income has improved women's willingness to participate in political and managerial decision-making, inspiring more women in the community to work at the organization.

scholarly journals Theoretical means for social entrepreneurship research in context of marketing 3.0

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 24-31
Author(s):  
Olha Seleznоva ◽  
Olena Boiko ◽  
Victoria Bondar
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Social Entrepreneurship ◽  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Modern Concept ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Entrepreneurship Research ◽  
Modern Development

Introduction. Modern development of socio-economic sector makes adjustments to market environment. Enterprises require expansion of their activities and feel necessity to diversify risks. Satisfaction of consumer needs is accompanied by introduction of innovations in various areas. Focusing on marketing 3.0, when market activity should not only ensure enterprise’s profitability, but also care about consumer and environment, is embracing more and more enterprises and becoming modern business responsibility. Therefore, the problem of social entrepreneurship research in context of sustainable development is becoming relevant and important. Aim and tasks. The main aim of this work is to formulate theoretical means for social entrepreneurship research, which should reveal peculiarities of tools to achieve global goals of sustainable development. To achieve this goal, the following tasks have been solved in this study: analysis of definitions and study the essence of “social entrepreneurship” concept; interconnection of social entrepreneurship goals with global goals of sustainable development and compliance with modern concept of marketing 3.0. Results. Research of “social enterprise” definition allows to define it as stable business structure, tended to self-development, which forms mechanism of social support and infrastructure development through close integration into social system. Social entrepreneurship is aimed at solving social problems and other goals of marketing 3.0. Social enterprise is considered in context of sustainable development, which is a concept that requires balance between satisfying current needs of people and protecting interests of future generations, ensuring their necessity for safe and healthy environment, and it must be able to contribute to global goals of sustainable development at local level. Conclusions. Social enterprises have become an acceptable mechanism for solving socio-economic problems, as they are developing and expanding new tools to achieve global goals of sustainable development at local level. Social  entrepreneurship has opportunity to involve socially vulnerable groups in public life and expand citizens’ activity. Social entrepreneurship today is aimed at positive social changes and providing basic human needs in an optimal way.

Platform social enterprises as a new model for co-production

2020 ◽  
pp. 61-86
Author(s):  
Maurizio Busacca ◽  
Flaviano Zandonai
Keyword(s):  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
New Governance ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Development Trajectory ◽  
Relational Systems ◽  
Governance Models ◽  
Use Of Knowledge

The paper analyses the mechanisms of organisational integration in two social enterprises characterised by a strong orientation towards the creation and management of networks with the aim of gaining useful learning in the framework of the emerging debate on production and governance models that characterise platform organisations, in particular in the digital context. In order to do this, it deepens the dimensions of leadership, organisational knowledge and production in two Italian cases: Le Case del Quartiere, a network of social infrastructures in Turin, and TreCuori, a company and territorial welfare agency in Veneto. The two cases are analysed according to the literature of organisational studies which, since the 1980s, has deepened the issue of the progressive narrowing of organisational boundaries and the increase in interdependence between units and organisations variously located with respect to those boundaries. The main evidence that emerged from the case studies are two. The first, in contrast with the rhetoric of disintermediation associated with the sharing economy, identifies the key role of intermediaries who position themselves as third parties with respect to the demand and supply of goods and services in order to facilitate their meeting and, at the same time, foster the mechanisms of entrepreneurial use of knowledge and relationships. The second, with significant theoretical implications, identifies the "platform social enterprise" as an organisational model that introduces strong traits of cooperation in the relational systems that characterise mainstream platform-enterprises. The findings of the investigation offer an original contribution to the convergence between social innovation, collaborative economics and new governance models studies, with a shift from "platform capitalism" to "platform cooperativism" by organizations that use place-based social innovation models and give importance not only to relational and political-cultural factors, but also to co-production, co-working, collaboration and networking. Observed from this perspective, the platform social enterprise becomes a model to be more considered in order to propose a more cooperative, sustainable and democratic development trajectory of platforms.

scholarly journals What Sustainable Development Goals Do Social Innovations Address? A Systematic Review and Content Analysis of Social Innovation Literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georg Eichler ◽  
Erich Schwarz
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Social Entrepreneurs ◽  
Social Innovations ◽  
Development Goals

Interest in social innovations (SIs) from both the academic and the policy side is growing. Nonetheless, we still know little about which sustainable development goals (SDGs) SIs already address. Furthermore, only little is known about who the innovators developing and implementing SIs are. In this paper, we aim to bring more clarity and structure to the field of SIs. Firstly, a systematic literature review was conducted, before a content analysis was used to analyze the definitions used with regard to similarities. Secondly, all case studies described in the reviewed articles were then further systematically analyzed in order to identify the social or environmental problems addressed and the innovators involved. For the purpose of classifying the diverse types of problems, we used the globally known and broadly accepted 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). Results showed that most SI case studies deal with an improvement of health and well-being. Furthermore, our study illustrates that there is a pronounced difference in the focus of SIs between developing and developed countries. Concerning the innovators, our results indicate that five types of innovators are fundamentally involved in developing and implementing SIs: social entrepreneurs, NGOs and non-profits, public institutions, civil society, firms, and social enterprises. Our definition analysis as well as the identification and classification of the innovators and addressed social needs bring much-needed clarity and structure to the field. However, our systematic review shows that SI is still in its infancy and it will be interesting to see where the field will head.

scholarly journals The role of multilateral organizations and governments in advancing social innovation in health care delivery

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrice Halpaap ◽  
Rosanna W. Peeling ◽  
François Bonnici
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Health Care Delivery ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Enabling Environment ◽  
Social Innovations ◽  
Multilateral Organizations ◽  
Innovation Approach

Abstract Background Despite great medical advances and scientific progress over the past century, one billion people globally still lack access to basic health care services. In the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development social innovation models aim to provide effective solutions that bridge the health care delivery gap, address equity and create social value. This commentary highlights the roles of multilateral organizations and governments in creating an enabling environment where social innovations can more effectively integrate into health systems to maximize their impact on beneficiaries. Main text The integration of social innovations into health systems is essential to ensure their sustainability and the wide dissemination of their impact. Effective partnerships, strong engagement with and endorsement by governments and communities, regulations, trust and sometimes willingness are key factors to enhance system integration, replication and dissemination of the models. Three examples of social innovations selected by the Social Innovation in Health Initiative illustrate the importance of engaging with governments and communities in order to link, integrate and synergize their efforts. Key challenges that they encountered, and lessons learnt are highlighted. Multilateral organizations and governments increasingly engage in promoting and supporting the development, testing and dissemination of social innovations to address the health care delivery gap. They play an important role in creating an enabling environment. This includes promoting the concept of social innovation in health care delivery, spreading social innovation approach and lessons learnt, fostering partnerships and leveraging resources, convening communities, health system actors and various stakeholders to work together across disciplines and sectors, and nurturing capacity in countries. Conclusions Multilateral organizations and local and national governments have a critical role to play in creating an enabling environment where social innovations can flourish. In supporting and disseminating social innovation approach, multilateral organizations and governments have a great opportunity to accelerate Universal Health Coverage and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Indigenous Social Enterprises as Drivers of Sustainable Development: Insights From Mexico and Peru

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Vázquez Maguirre ◽  
Luis Portales ◽  
Isabelle Velásquez Bellido
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Gender Equality ◽  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Equitable Distribution ◽  
Sustainable Exploitation

The aim of this article is to explore the mechanisms by which indigenous social enterprises contribute to a rural community’s sustainable development and improves the quality of life of its inhabitants. The work follows a qualitative methodology and uses the case study as a research technique. The research suggests that social enterprise uses four main mechanisms to promote rural sustainable development in the community where it operates: labor as a source of quality of life, gender equality, sustainable exploitation of the resources, and the equitable distribution of benefits between the economic, social and environmental dimensions.

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