44. Evidence and Perspectives of Social Innovation
José Francisco Romero-Muñoz, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla - Dirección de Innovación y Transferencia de Conocimiento
Posted: February 28, 2022 Accepted Languages: English/Inglés/Inglês, Spanish/Español/Espanhol
During the last two decades, the academic literature that studies social innovation has increased exponentially. The vast majority are studies written in English; to a lesser extent there are studies written in Spanish, French, Portuguese and other languages. Likewise, social innovation has been present in political discourses related to sustainable development; especially in those from Europe and the United States. International organizations, such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the United Nations, the European Commission, the World Economic Forum, among others, have recognized that the progress of nations must consider new forms of innovation and not only technological innovation. In other words, both academic and political discourses have insisted that new forms of innovation are required to generate social value and not just private value. It is known then that social innovation is important, but several challenges still prevail both in its conception and in its practice. Various criticisms are frequently mentioned in the available studies. It has been said that the body of literature is incoherent and that ambiguity persists in the term; that it is not clear whether it should be considered as a phenomenon or a theoretical framework; and that social innovation is nothing more than a catchy term. Within the framework of science, technology and innovation studies, we invite a discussion on the evidence of social innovation, through cases that show its existence and the conditions in which it works. We will accept papers written in English and Spanish.
