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ESSE 2011 - 2nd Edition

“Social Enterprise and Social Innovation”

July 18th – 23rd, 2011University Residential Centre of Bertinoro

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A] Social and Cooperative Economics

Leonardo Becchetti University of Tor Vergata, Rome (Italy)

Carlo Borzaga University of Trento (Italy)

Jacques Defourny 

University of Liège, Centre for Social Economy (Belgium)

Giulio Ecchia  University of Bologna (Italy)

Henry Noguès 

University of Nantes (France)

Raimondello Orsini 

University of Bologna (Italy)

Stefano Zamagni 

University of Bologna (Italy)

SCIENTIFIC BOARD

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B] Business and Management

Eva Kuti Budapest College of Management (Hungary)

Antonio Matacena University of Bologna (Italy)

Alex Nicholls Oxford University, Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship (UK)

Isabel VidalUniversity of Barcelona, Centro de Investigación de Economia y Sociedad (Spain)

Dennis R. Young

Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia (USA)

SCIENTIFIC BOARD

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C] Socioeconomics and Politics

Taco BrandsenRadboud University Nijmegen (The Netherlands)

Fabrizio Cafaggi

European University Institute, Fiesole (Italy)

Ivo Colozzi University of Bologna (Italy)

Victor PestoffErsta Sköndal University College, Stockholm (Sweden)

Lars HulgårdRoskilde University, Centre for Social Entrepreneurship (Denmark)

Lester M. Salamon

The Johns Hopkins University, Centre for Civil Society Studies, Baltimore, Maryland (USA)

Francesco Vella

University of Bologna (Italy)

SCIENTIFIC BOARD

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Leonardo BECCHETTI University of Tor Vergata – Rome - Italy

Marie J. BOUCHARD UQAM – Chaire de Recerche en économie sociale – Quebec – Canada

Taco BRANDSEN Radboud University Nijmegen The Netherlands

Simone FERRIANI University of Bologna – Italy

Giulia GALERA EURICSE – Italy

Lars HULGÅRD Roskilde University – Danmark – Emes – Belgium

Geoff MULGAN NESTA Foundation – UK

Raimondello Orsini University of Bologna – Italy

Dennis R. YOUNG Georgia State University – Atlanta – Georgia – USA

Stefano ZAMAGNI University of Bologna – Italy

TEACHING STAFF

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The term, Social Innovation, is currently riding the waves of success in the social sciences, particularly in Economics, Sociology, and Political Science;

So much so that in recent years research centers, think tanks, journals, and foundations have been created in order to support the phenomenon; 

This is much due to the fact that it has also become the rallying cry of many Western political administrations;

Due to its multi-disciplinary approach, it is not surprising that there is a vast array of definitions tied to Social Innovation;

Some of these definitions are complementary and others not;

Which makes it difficult for scholars and policy makers to approach Innovation in the Social Economy Sector.

Why social innovation?

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Social innovation is a complex process of introducing new products, processes or programs that profoundly change the basic routines, resource and authority flows, or beliefs of the social system in which the innovation occurs. Such successful social innovations have durability and broad impact.

Westley Frances and Antadze Nino (2010), “Making a Difference: Strategies for Scaling Social Innovation for Greater Impact”, The Innovation Journal: The Public Sector Innovation Journal, Vol. 15 (2).

First definition of social innovation

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Its defining characteristics are:

What is it A Complex Process

Object of innovation Products, Processes, Programs

Effects/Motives Profound Change

Object of Change Basic Routines, Resources, Authority Flows, Beliefs

Targeted Area of Change Social System

Components Lasting and Broad Impact

Systemic approach

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Social innovation refers to innovative activities and services that are motivated by the goal of meeting a social need and that are predominantly diffused through organizations whose primary purposes are social.

Geoff Mulgan, The Process of Social Innovation, in “Innovations. Technology, Governance, Globalizations”, Spring 2006, MITpress, Boston, p.146.

Second definition of social innovation

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Its defining characteristics are:

What is it An activity or service

Object of innovation ---

Effects/Motives To respond to a social need

Object of Change ---

Targeted Area of Change Organizations for Social Good

Components ---

Pragmatic approach

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A novel solution to a social problem that is more effective, efficient, sustainable, or just than existing solutions and for which the value created accrues primarily to society as a whole rather than private individuals.

Phillis James A. Jr., Deiglmeier Kriss, Miller Dale T., Rediscovering Social Innovation, in “Stanford Social Innovation Review”, Fall 2008, 6, 4, Stanford, p. 36

Third definition of social innovation

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Its defining characteristics are:

What is it An innovative solution

Object of innovation ---

Effects/Motives Value Created

Object of Change A social problem

Targeted Area of Change Society

Components Efficient, Efficacious, Sustainable, Just

Managerial approach

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In the first definition, Social Innovation works towards systemic social change (changes in power, beliefs, etc.) and focuses on the “collective” aspect of the process of innovation (which can never be reduced to the contribution of a single individual no matter how extraordinary or grand it may be).

The socio-political perspective is more attentive to the political dimension of social innovation and on the possible conflicts that could result from the end product or from the spillovers of innovation, seeing as how most social innovations are heralded by social movements which mobilize large parts of the population.

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The second definition is starkly different from the first. Here the role of the single individual, of the social entrepreneur, of the social innovator, of the one who in front of a social need finds new ways to meet it through innovative methods (often hybrid in nature, going beyond traditional boundaries of the public, private, and non-profit) is what is valued most.

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The third definition is a combination of the two definitions above presented.

It highlights the managerial aspect of social innovation which must be seen as a solution, that unlike its predecessors, is more efficient, efficacious, sustainable, and just.

The definition furthermore states that the social good that is created as a result of its introduction, application, and diffusion must benefit the general public and not any single individual (public good vs. private good).

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Of new Ideas,Processes;Products;Services

INNOVATION

“A change process that rests on some idea, either new or perceived as new, that is applied to existing ways and means of doing things”

A] GenerationB] AcceptanceC] ImplementationD] Diffusion

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Initial generation of an Idea = Creativity

“Is the Act of finding an approach to a solution of a perceived problem or need, and for generating or making possible some kind of innovation in response.”

“Is a frame of mind that questions rather than criticizes”, “which asks: why is this so?”

“To imagine future scenarios, conditions, inventions, applications, adaptations and processes”

“The capacity to look at situations in an integrated, holistic way, laterally and flexibly”

“Is primarily about new ways of seeing issues, conceptualizing phenomena, and framing problems”

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Diffusion patterns depend on the degree of similarity among actors accepting, rejecting or modifying the Innovation (homophily or heterophily)

TIME:

1. the innovation decision process;2. the innovativeness of a unit of adoption;3. the innovation’s rate of adoption in a system

A] INITIATION

B] IMPLEMENTATION

C] DIFFUSION

- ADOPTION- REJECTION- MODIFICATION

THE INNOVATION PROCESS

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SUCCESSFUL INNOVATION

a) A significant degree of uncertainty;

b) It is a knowledge-intensive process;

c) Innovations are controversial (political process: different interests confronting each other);

d) Innovations tend to reach across established boundaries in organization, fields or sectors.

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“Innovation and adaptation of innovative ideas and practices happens at the margins, not at the centre of

the system”

“Innovators are encouraged in situations or networks that involve significant overlaps among groups, cultures,

and perspectives.”

Rogers E.M. (2003), Diffusion of Innovations, fifth edition, New York, Free Press.

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SUMMER SCHOOL STAFF

Kristian Mancinone: Problem creating – social innovator

Sara Rago: Problem solving – social innovator

Tamami Komatsu: Language and Culture Mediator – social innovator

Andrea Bassi: Decision Making – social innovator

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Welcome

…and I hope you will enjoy

not only the very high quality teaching of our outstanding scholars

…but also the opportunity to stay together and to exchange culture, experiences and friendship.