The document explores the concept and measurement of social innovation (SI), emphasizing its significance in addressing contemporary social challenges and enhancing quality of life. It discusses the intertwining nature of SI with technological and economic innovations and presents frameworks for understanding and measuring SI. Additionally, it highlights various social innovation initiatives and calls for further research to refine measurement methodologies and theoretical frameworks.

1. In search of theconceptualization and measurement of SOCIAL INNOVATION1Mónica Edwards-Schachter, Phd.Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Management (INGENIO, CSIC-UPV)moed@ingenio.upv.es

2. Focus: Whatis Social Innovation (SI)?

3. SI: Anapproachfor a new nature (and new measurementproblems) of innovation ?

4. SI as researchtopic: Withinoroutside of theinnovationstudiesfield?

5. Developingindicators of SI: Exploring “social places and spaces”

6. Final comments …2Keynotes

7. 3Focus: What is Social Innovation? SI is an outstanding paradigm that is increasingly attracting the interest of research, organizations and policy makers (Andrew & Klein, 2010; EU/The Young Foundation, 2010; Howaldt &Schwartz, 2010; Hubert, 2010)

8. The Renewed Social Agenda (EC 2008) emphasizes the role of SI as an opportunity to address Europe’sresponse to new social realities and promoting a better quality of life.

9. SI is seen as a powerful instrument to address the economic crisis (and “other” global crisis) requiring both quick solutions to pressing social problems and the long term development of a sustainable social system (BEPA, 2009).4But …The concept ofsocial innovation is often used interchangeablywith a number of different topics including innovation activities in the non-profit sector, social entrepreneurship, social economy, social enterprise … (Moulaert et al, 2005; Mulgan et al., 2007; Rodríguez & Alvarado, 2008; Andrew & Klein, 2010; Howaldt & Shwarz, 2010).

10. 5TheSOCIAL side of TECHNOLOGICAL innovation?TheTECHNOLOGICAL side of SOCIAL innovation?DIFUSSION OF INNOVATION?SOCIAL IMPACT OF INNOVATION?

11. 6SI: An approach for a new nature (and new measurement problems) of innovation ?Mulgan (2006:8) affirms that “Social innovation refers to innovative activities and services that are motivated by the goal of meeting a social need and that are predominantly diffused through organizations whose primary purposes are social”.

12. Phills et al. (2008) have underlined the mechanisms involved in bringing about positive social change, bolstered by the “cross-fertilization” of the non-profit, government, and business sectors

13. For MacCallum et al. (2009:1)- is an anchor concept for research in creative arts, human organization, economic diversity, neighbourhood regeneration, regional renaissance, governanceand other areas”.7SI: An approach for a new nature (and new measurement problems) of innovation ?A recent report of The Young Foundation (2010, p. 10) identifies four drivers of future innovation: Co-creating value with customers and tapping knowledge about users; Global knowledge sourcing and collaborative networks; Global challenges as a driver of innovation; Public sector challenges as a driver of innovation

14. 8SI: An approach for a new nature (and new measurement problems) of innovation ?In words of Howaldt and Schwarz (2010) “innovations are deliberative interventions designed to initiate and establish future developments concerning technology, economics, and social practices”

15. How can people act as lead users and contribute to social innovation?

16. How can share social innovation best practices?

17. How to measure social innovation …?9SI as research topic: Within or outside the innovation field?The introduction of the social to innovation –and viceversa, as well as of innovation to the social– has been considered from multiple research perspectives, embracing social science and economic literatures, as well as in the socio-political practice (Brooks 1982).

18. Brooks (1982) has analyzed the social dimensions of invention and innovation,classifying social inventions and innovations as market, managerial, political, or institutional. When distinguishing between "pure social inventions and innovations, socio-technical system innovations, and pure technical innovations" he cautionsthat "there are no entirely pure types"10“Schumpeter underscores the necessity of social innovation occurring in tandem in both the economic arena as well as in culture, politics and a society's way of life in order to guarantee the economic efficacy of technical innovations” (Howaldt & Schwarz , 2010: p. 9) .

19. However, the mention of social innovation in literature after Schumpeteris rare and only marginal and the focus is essentially in technological innovations.

20. The presence of SI in innovation research literature is still scarce and marginal …But …