Innovation for Society: Towards a Typology of Developing Innovations by Social Entrepreneurs

Abstract

Social entrepreneurs develop important innovative solutions for complex societal challenges. This exploratory article provides a typology of different approaches by which social entrepreneurs develop such innovations. This typology is based on their engagement in anticipation, reflexivity, stakeholder inclusion and deliberation, responsiveness and knowledge management, during the development of their innovation. Following from quantitative analyses of data from self-assessment questionnaires and subsequent contextualization, the findings reveal four distinctive ways to successfully develop innovative solutions for societal problems. This article therefore contributes to our understanding of the innovation process by which social entrepreneurs develop social innovations.

An exploration of the youths perception toward social entrepreneurship development: Evidence from Bangladesh

“…Maas & Grieco (2017) hold the view that social entrepreneurship is an effective vehicle that not only drives but also tackles the societal problems innovatively. Furthermore, Lubberink et al (2018) concurs with Maas & Grieco (2017) that social entrepreneurs come up with creative and innovative solutions to complicated and crucial societal problems. According to Lubberink et al (2018), the individuals who started these organizations wanted them to be financially self-sustaining while serving an environmental or social purpose.…”

“…Furthermore, Lubberink et al (2018) concurs with Maas & Grieco (2017) that social entrepreneurs come up with creative and innovative solutions to complicated and crucial societal problems. According to Lubberink et al (2018), the individuals who started these organizations wanted them to be financially self-sustaining while serving an environmental or social purpose. Social entrepreneurs can apply patternbreaking thoughts to address important problems of society.…”

“…According to Tiwari et al (2017a), the roots of social entrepreneurship exist mainly in the evolution of the private sector. One of the growing discussions in the field of social entrepreneurship is how to define and differentiate a social enterprise from a profit-seeking enterprise (Lubberink et al, 2018). Social entrepreneurship generally refers to the phenomenon of applying business expertise and market-based skills in the non-profit sector such as when non-profit-making organizations buildup innovative approaches to bring in income (Thompson, 2002).…”

“…A social entrepreneur can be described as "someone who has created and led an organization, whether for-profit or not, that is aimed at catalyzing systematic social change through new ideas, products, services, methodologies and changes in attitude" (Thompson, 2002). However, the academic field of social entrepreneurship is gaining prominence (Lubberink et al, 2018). Smith-Hunter (2011) mentioned that the most important point of social entrepreneurship is social value creation.…”

“…However, Waddock & Steckler (2016) illustrated that only fifty percent of social entrepreneurs start to carry out their activity by having a clear vision. On the contrary, Lubberink et al (2018) also opined that social entrepreneurship is a political phenomenon and the goal should be adjusted to the social problem. Nevertheless, they act as change agents in the social sector and adopt missions to create and sustain social value, employ in a process of continuous innovation, adaptation and act with courage without being defined by resources currently in hand.…”