Boosting social change through social innovation labs

Tirziu, Andreea-Maria (2016): Boosting social change through social innovation labs. Published in: Holistica - Journal of Business and Public Administration , Vol. 7, No. 2 (2016): pp. 111-122.

Abstract

In an era in which society is becoming more and more based on knowledge, and digital technologies have become indispensable for carrying out daily activities, social change becomes a problem whose solution cannot wait postponement. This paper intends to present a framework on the importance of developing social innovation labs as instruments for achieving social change, social innovation bringing countless benefits in the individuals’ life. The methodology used for conducting this research is bibliographical – therefore we chose to study the research of specialists in the field, both from Romania and abroad, and empirical – achieved by constructing a case study on best practices examples of these living labs. Through social innovation labs, individuals form connections with each other, they mobilize in order to achieve a common goal – to create a better future. Research shows that social innovation labs behave like normal labs, thus they invent and experiment on finding solutions for the challenges of today’s world. Often, they generate promising solutions. However, in order for those solutions to be successful, the fact that the human resource is the crucial element should not be forgotten. Hence, individuals’ ability and willingness to cooperate should be considered, not only by electronic means, but also through traditional methods of participation in the process of social change through innovation.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: social innovation; social change; living labs
• Subjects: I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I3 - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty; I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I3 - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty > I30 - General

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