Abstract
One of the main barriers when implementing social innovation deemed to be significant is the agency barrier. The purpose of this research is to diagnose the structurally conditioned and awareness agency barriers that occur during the implementation of social innovation in the selected Silesian senior non-governmental organizations. It was assumed that, these days, an important parameter in determining agency is the digital competence possessed. Therefore, it is important to ascertain the level of digital competence of the examined non-governmental organization (NGO) leaders and members as the prosumers of social innovation, which determines the course of their innovative activities. The theoretical basis of research is Margaret Archer’s morphogenetic theory of structure and agency and her scheme of causal analysis. On this basis and using a qualitative analysis of data obtained during focus group interviews (FGIs) and computer-assisted web interviews (CAWIs) with the members of NGOs, a diagnosis is conducted concerning the occurrence of agency barriers in the processes of social innovation. It was found that the majority of respondents have the agency potential, knowledge, and competence to actively co-create Society 5.0. The obtained research results will allow educational and implementation projects (action research) to be carried out in the future that are adequate to the needs of this particular social group. At the theoretical level, the usefulness of the morphogenetic scheme was verified in a causal analysis to study the social agency of the members of senior NGOs.
Highlights
The theoretical basis of research is Margaret assumptions of morphogenetic theory (Archer)’s morphogenetic theory of structure and agency and her scheme of causal analysis. On this basis and using a qualitative analysis of data obtained during focus group interviews (FGIs) and computer-assisted web interviews (CAWIs) with the members of non-governmental organization (NGO), a diagnosis is conducted concerning the occurrence of agency barriers in the processes of social innovation
We present the research results obtained in response to the first question concerning the extent of digital competence as an element of agency of the examined members of non-governmental organizations
The results of the focus group research and CAWIs indicated that the members of Silesian senior NGOs surveyed have relatively high levels of digital competence and communication skills, which positively condition their possibilities for agency during the implementation of social innovations
Summary
Research was conducted in the social sciences on the social effects of innovation at the beginning of the 21st century [4,5]. The rise in interest in this issue should be connected with, in an economic dimension, the consequences of the financial and economic crisis that occurred after the year 2009 [6]. This effect is even stronger when we focus on the roles of creativity; innovativeness, including social innovativeness to support economic growth; creating safe workplaces; and increasing competitiveness among the societies of Western countries struggling with, among other factors, population ageing [7]. In 2010, it amounted to approximately 25%; in 2016 it rose to 29.6%, and it is predicted to keep rising to 51.2% by the year 2070 [8]
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