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How to measure the impact of social innovation initiatives?

Author

Listed:
  • Jorge Cunha

    (University of Minho)

  • Paul Benneworth

    (University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
    Agder Research, Norway)

Abstract

Academic literature about the idea of social innovation grew sharply over the last decade, with researchers trying to define its concept and presenting several examples of successful social innovations. However, to support the development of social innovation initiatives is important to have a conceptual framework that allows evaluating its true impact. The purpose of this paper is to identify the boundary conditions for an effective set of social innovation indicators, which will help to have a more informed decision-making process. The main conclusion is that the impact of social innovations can be conceived as a set of results that manifests itself through different time periods, at different spatial scales, and must take into account the value experienced by all stakeholders involved. Thus, since a positive social innovation outcome depends on diverse factors and conditions, being most often context-dependent, it means that rather than imposing a specific set of indicators, based on a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach a measuring process procedure should be adopted to assess the impact of social innovations.

Suggested Citation

  • Jorge Cunha & Paul Benneworth, 2020. "How to measure the impact of social innovation initiatives?," International Review on Public and Nonprofit Marketing, Springer;International Association of Public and Non-Profit Marketing, vol. 17(1), pages 59-75, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:irpnmk:v:17:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s12208-019-00240-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s12208-019-00240-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Douglas Paulesky Juliani & Ania Silva & Jorge Cunha & Paul Benneworth, 2017. "Universities' Contributions to Sustainable Development's Social Challenge: A Case Study of a Social Innovation Practice," International Journal of Social Ecology and Sustainable Development (IJSESD), IGI Global, vol. 8(3), pages 1-18, July.
    2. Ross Millar & Kelly Hall, 2013. "Social Return on Investment (SROI) and Performance Measurement," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(6), pages 923-941, September.
    3. Perkmann, Markus & Tartari, Valentina & McKelvey, Maureen & Autio, Erkko & Broström, Anders & D’Este, Pablo & Fini, Riccardo & Geuna, Aldo & Grimaldi, Rosa & Hughes, Alan & Krabel, Stefan & Kitson, Mi, 2013. "Academic engagement and commercialisation: A review of the literature on university–industry relations," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(2), pages 423-442.
    4. Paul Benneworth & Rómulo Pinheiro & James Karlsen, 2017. "Strategic agency and institutional change: investigating the role of universities in regional innovation systems (RISs)," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(2), pages 235-248, February.
    5. Madalena Fonseca & Ugo Fratesi (ed.), 2017. "Regional Upgrading in Southern Europe," Advances in Spatial Science, Springer, number 978-3-319-49818-8, Fall.
    6. Nino Antadze & Frances R. Westley, 2012. "Impact Metrics for Social Innovation: Barriers or Bridges to Radical Change?," Journal of Social Entrepreneurship, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 3(2), pages 133-150, October.
    7. Archana Singh & Satyajit Majumdar, 2015. "Technology and Innovation for Creating Social Change: Concepts and Theories," Springer Books, in: Satyajit Majumdar & Samapti Guha & Nadiya Marakkath (ed.), Technology and Innovation for Social Change, edition 127, chapter 0, pages 109-123, Springer.
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