Developing a Practitioner's Social Innovation Framework: Definitions, Outcomes and Processes

Abstract

“What is social innovation?” To date, a practical and universally accepted definition of social innovation is missing. This thesis hopes to address this theory-practice gap. Recognising that social innovation is initially developed from practice, this research explores the perspectives of practitioners involved in the deployment of social innovation, in particular the context of social innovation competitions. This research has three areas of focus, namely the concept of social innovation (definitions); what impacts social innovation has created (outcomes); and how social innovation is developed and implemented (processes). Research findings led to this research developing a Practitioner’s Social Innovation Framework.