Civic Events in a Dynamic Local Field. The Role of Participation for Social Innovation

Abstract

Despite the spread of a variety of small-scale civic events, little is known about their potential for promoting innovation and field-wide implications. This paper addresses these points drawing on a study of 52 civic events in Milan between 2006 and 2010, which were set up by 10 nonprofit organizations within a shared local field. In order to assess if and how the observed events relate to a number of transformations that the local field underwent during the research period, an analytical typology of events' development is proposed. The results suggest that patterns of events' development are not neutral with respect to the production of field-relevant implications and that the triggering of social innovation processes by events requires pro-active public participation in their development processes.

The influence of financial performance on corporate social innovation

“…Over the years, social innovation has been widely discussed from various approaches: economic (Mulgan, Tucker, Ali, & Sanders, ), organizational (Phills et al, ; Segarra‐Oña et al, ), and socioecological (Rennings & Rammer, ; Westley & Antadze, ). It has also become a key element for analyzing processes of territorial governance and an instrument for promoting country development (Andrew & Klein, ; Citroni, ; Edwards‐Schachter et al, ; Moulaert, Martinelli, Swyngedouw, & Gonzalez, ). Governments and public organizations such as the Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD), European Commission, World Bank, World Economic Forum, and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) highlight the relevance of social innovation and its impact on living standards and so invest extensive resources in promoting it.…”

“…Based on the final public purpose of social innovation, most authors focus on the role of civil organizations (nongovernment organizations [NGOs], foundations, etc.) and public agents as the main boosters of social change and therefore of social innovation (Citroni, ). However, firms are essential agents during this process.…”

Pluralism in Organizations: Learning from Unconventional Forms of Organizations

“…). However, even events purporting similar goals may differ in the amount of voice they give participants: Citroni () explains that events can range from ‘workshop’ style formats to pre‐packaged experiences. While the latter can generate media attention, the former may lead to more profound reconfigurations of networks and shared understandings (Citroni ).…”

“…However, even events purporting similar goals may differ in the amount of voice they give participants: Citroni () explains that events can range from ‘workshop’ style formats to pre‐packaged experiences. While the latter can generate media attention, the former may lead to more profound reconfigurations of networks and shared understandings (Citroni ). Moreover, open membership does not guarantee change, because, as actors and interests multiply, participants have fewer opportunities to interact and build trust (Schussler et al .…”

Neighbourhood events and the visibilisation of everyday life: The cases of Turro (Milan) and Norra Fäladen (Lund)

“…Foreign residents account for 32.7% of the total (with 14% from Asia), consistent with 30% of the wider administrative area (Zona 2) in which it is located, but almost double the general number for Milan (17.4%). Its traditional image as a poor area with a migrant population and the highest percentage of foreigners in contemporary Milan contributed to a stigmatisation of the area, which worsened from 2010, when the killing of a young Egyptian man led to urban riots (Arrigoni, 2011;Citroni, 2015). Thanks to intensive media coverage, the neighbourhood made the headlines for a number of weeks, which led to the area becoming a nationally recognised symbol for the problematic local integration of migrants.…”