Responsible innovation by social entrepreneurs: an exploratory study of values integration in innovations

Abstract

The upcoming concept of responsible innovation seems to gain foothold in Europe and beyond, but it still remains unknown how it can be implemented in the business context. This article explores how social entrepreneurs integrate values into their de facto responsible innovations, and provides empirically informed strategies to develop, implement and scale these innovations. It is based on an empirical investigation of 42 case studies of bestpractice social entrepreneurs. This empirical study shows that social entrepreneurs focus on creating direct socio-ethical value for their target beneficiaries. They coordinate collective stakeholder action to develop, implement and scale their systems-changing solutions. And their bottom-up innovations are evaluated and scaled for impact. Ultimately, institutional support is sought to create topdown systems change. This article suggests a synthesised model of integrated strategies for responsible innovation that also covers implementation and scaling of innovation. ARTICLE HISTORY

Physical activity level as a booster of entrepreneurial intention: a social innovation approach

“…One salient aspect of the research in the interface between social innovation and entrepreneurship is the importance of the needs of the target beneficiaries of social innovation. Lubberink et al (2019) conclude that social entrepreneurs focus on creating value for their target beneficiaries. For Onsongo (2019), appealing to the needs of target users is required for legitimating social innovations.…”

Social entrepreneurship: business models and strategies for their development

“…Social entrepreneurs utilise innovations in their activity frequently. R. Lubberink, V. Blok, J. van Ophem and O. Omta (2019) [15] propose in their paper a synthesized model of integrated strategies with responsible implementation of innovations, which includes implementation and scaling innovations by social entrepreneurs.…”

Difficulty and doability enacting responsible innovation

“…Shifting the implementation context of responsible innovation from research policy and performance to business, Lubberink et al (2019) add to the growing literature on responsible innovation in business settings, by seeking to understand 'the value that can be created' when social entrepreneurs integrate 'normative values' into their innovations. In focusing on social innovation, rather than on science-based technological innovation per se, Lubbernick et al recall the appeals by Repo and Matschoss and by Hartley et al for widening the 'narrow scope' of innovation that currently characterizes most efforts aimed at theorizing, implementing and assessing responsible innovation.…”