The concept of a civic technology tool for empowering social innovations

Aim/purpose – The main objective of this study is to present a concept of an IT tool supporting management of a social innovation process. Design/methodology/approach – The concept was preceded by an analysis of more than 30 leading internet platforms supporting innovation processes. Findings – As a result of the review of the literature and the analysis of internet platforms supporting innovation processes the assumptions of IT tool have been defined. The idea of building the civic technology tool to increase participation in creating a new solution has emerged. Each stage of social innovation development is characterised by individual requirements, it coincides with the participation of different stakeholders. The IT tool concepts which have been proposed include the specification of the social innovation process and show the frame for knowledge collection during the process of new social solution development. Research implications/limitations – The concept of IT tool is a starting point for further research into the issue of using crowd knowledge to empower the cycle of social innovation development. Originality/value/contribution – The scope of this paper fills in the research gap that exists in area of supporting the social innovation processes by IT tools. The proposed concept should be the basis for further work in the use of civic technology in the cycle of social innovation development. In particular, the area of citizens’ participation, e.g. creating the methods and procedures of knowledge acquisition and assessment.