urban social innovation systems and networks: exemplified by the case of vienna
TRANSCRIPT
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020
research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 693883.
Urban Social Innovation Systems and Networks Exemplified by the case of Vienna
Josef Hochgerner
23 SEPT 2016
23 SEPT 2016 / 2
Social innovation network
governance
Visions and strategies
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There is no innovation without a nexus to society. And just as society is complex
and diverse, so are innovations, be they new technologies or new practices in
doing things in varied roles, relations which are based on norms and values.
ALL INNOVATIONS ARE SOCIALLY RELEVANT
Overview
1. Several principles 2. Cultural change in Vienna 3. Existing intermediaries 4. The social innovation eco-system of Vienna 5. Requirements of an effective SI eco-system
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All innovations are socially relevant
To qualify as innovation, an idea must become effective: No impact → no innovation
Four stages of SI development: Idea → Intervention → implementation → impact
Social innovation is not necessarily ‚good‘ for society at large
Objectives may differ depending on culture, sociao-economic conditions of players
Impact is always contextual, depending on time, age, gender, education, wealth ….
Most important framing by: welfare systems, policy regime, economic development
Critical assessment of impact is required: Is SI only compensating flaws (degradation) of social systems, or is it complementing the functions of a working social system?
Mood matters, and so do features of an urban environment: from history to future concepts, cultures, infrastructure, quality of life, employment, environment, stress ….
Principles concerning social innovation properties and impact
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I favour an analytic concept of social innovation, broad enough to capture the
wide-spread manifestations of empirical cases, and specific enough to allow
sound scientific determination and measurement:
Definition of social innovation
Social innovation must involve a criterion to distinguish it from a mere (social) idea, just as a new
product or process in the economy is recognized as an innovation – distinct from an invention –
only if it proves commercially successful in markets.
Social innovations apply to all sectors of the society, therefore „living and working conditions“ are
the most appropriate criteria to identify the essential impact.
Though a social innovation usually is a novelty on purpose, its impact cannot be judged normatively
„good“ (in particular not „for the whole of society“ as is often claimed). Impact assessment may
vary a lot depending on people, groups or organisations affected differently by new practices.
Social Innovations are new practices of action by
individuals, groups or organisations asserting
impact on living- and working conditions in parts
or the whole of a society.
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Few innovations have basic and lasting impact, most innovations only improve what’s already functioning
Type of Innovation
Innovative technologies
Innovative practices
Incremental Innovation
Radical*) Innovation
Few (breakthroughs), with fundamental impact
Very few: Game changing systemic social innovations
Most: Social demand SI Many: Societal challenges SI
Vast numbers (follow-up), with cumulative impact
*) Other terms in use: Previously “basic innovation”, currently “disruptive innovation”
IS INNOVATION SPECTACULAR BY NATURE ?
/ Urban Socia l Innovat ion Systems and Networks
Ideation Intervention Implementation Impact
Idea
Idea
Idea Idea
Intervention
Implementation
Impact
New/modified idea
Next intervention
Implementation, 2nd
Intervention, 3rd try
Persistent idea
The „4-i process“ of social innovation development:
o Idea >> What is the issue, objectives of change
o Intervention >> Conceptualisation, define approaches, methods
o Implementation >> Using resources, breaking deadlocks, cooperation
o Impact >> Measures of quality, range and scales, life cycle!
But: It‘s usually not an ideal linear process …
… often interrupted, back to field one, iterative ...
HOW TO CREATE SOCIAL INNOVATION ?
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Novelty of the idea: seldom in in absolute terms, usually in respect of location, time, social strata, field of action
Social quality of the intervention: involvement, participation of the target group(s) and benefits
Sustainability of the implementation: effectiveness after acceptance by the those concerned
Notable impact: are there durable and factual changes, potential of up- or outscaling, replicability?
Evaluation criteria, applied by „SozialMarie“ – Award for Social Innovation in Austria and neighbouring countries _ www.sozialmarie.org
QUALITIES OF A NEW PRACTICE TO BECOME
A SOCIAL INNOVATION IN ACTION
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Cultural change in Vienna
Historic development: Imperial centre ( > WW I), social progress in decline (inter-war period), reconstruction phase (1945 – 1970), modernization (1970 – 1990), openness / internationalization / multi-ethnic growing population
Cultural assett: Housing policies, social housing tradition since the inter-war period
From a museum and music city to a smart city with highest standards in quality of life
Image by User:Maclemo
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Intermediaries in Vienna
Social partnership institutions and their role in governance (Chambers, trade unions)
Vienna Business Agency, Social funds, Fund for working life and employment
The social Innovation eco-system of Vienna
Centre for Social Innovation (ZSI), like-minded institutes at Vienna University of Economics, Social Partner‘s Education and Training Facilities, „People‘s Colleges‘ (VHS)
Impact Hub, Social Impact Award, SozialMarie (Prize for Social Innovation)
Vienna RTDI – Strategy includes measures enabling and supporting social innovation
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Requirements of a prolific social innovation eco-system
Pre-conditions and context: Analyse the framework of the issue, the potential measures,
inhibitors and supporting factors
„Framing“: Concepts, vision, mission, objectives, measures
Structural trigger: Search for a core mover (like the university in the framework of
the „Dortmund Consensus“, cf. H.W. Franz‘ presentation)
Consider path-dependency: Who will follow, why and how?
Success breeds success: Management, marketing, from voluntarism to professionalism
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Social change, development,
crisis and ‚Grand Challenges‘:
Resources and solutions
Evolution of Brains
Innovative Technologies
WHY SOCIAL INNOVATION NOW ?
Social Innovation for Social Action !
>> Cultural Evolution → Collaborative intelligence & intelligent collaboration
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/ This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020
research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 693883. 23 SEPT 2016 13
With compliments from Vienna, Josef Hochgerner, Centre for Social Innovation
Thank you!