Towards a Definition of Social Innovation
Note: This article is the first of three blog posts originally published on Challenge Your World and cross-posted on SocialFinance.ca. In this blog series for Challenge Your World, Peter Deitz examines the current state of social innovation in Canada -- what it is, who's doing it, and how its impact could be measured. All comments welcome.
Social innovation is one of those phrases that can mean different things to different people. In fact, its versatility has probably led to its popularity in recent years. Like 'social change', 'social entrepreneurship', and 'corporate social responsibility' before it, the term social innovation is both vague enough to attract a diverse following and specific enough to afford its followers a sense of identity. But left poorly defined for too long, I worry that social innovation could lose its followers like chewing gum loses its flavor.
This blog post is an attempt to start a conversation about what the term social innovation means (and doesn't mean) in the Canadian context. To get the conversation started, I have three questions for those who identify as social innovators and/or who support the field of social innovation.
- What activities are included in social innovation?
- What activities aren't included?
- Is there a definition of social innovation that would help the field mature in Canada, becoming universally understood and institutionally supported?
The third question is the most important. Without a shared understanding and institutional support (governments, investors, local communities), social innovation is less likely to reach its fullest potential. Below are my initial answers to the questions above. They represent my own (constantly evolving) opinions and shouldn't be construed as the only answers or even the best answers.
Q. What activities are included in social innovation?
A. Social innovation is comprised of entrepreneurial efforts to resolve seemingly insurmountable social challenges, demonstrating the following characteristics: 1) led by a passionate individual or group of individuals, and 2) producing a lasting social impact that's both highly scalable and widely replicated.
Q. What activities aren't included in social innovation?
A. Social innovation does not include entrepreneurial efforts that promote or recycle long standing but failed efforts to fully address a social issue.
Q. Is there a definition of social innovation that would help the field mature in Canada, becoming universally understood and institutionally supported?
A. Possibly. Here's an attempt at such a definition: Social innovation is first and foremost about increasing the number of jobs and small businesses that contribute to the economic, social, and environmental well-being of Canada.
I realize that there may be significant disagreement with the questions I have introduced as well as the initial answers I have proposed. Please add your own questions and responses as you see fit. I look forward to responding to your thoughts.
PS - For alternative definitions and a primer on all things social innovation, have a look at Social Innovation Generation's website.
