Social Innovation: Origins, Definitions, and Main Elements

Earth Science Education as a Key Component of Education for Sustainability

“…Literature tells us that educators who can implement new educational resources and strategies can lead to good practices in the field of sustainability and promote hope and action among their students to inspire them to become social innovators [21][22][23]. Achieving the United Nations' SDGs calls for social innovation, that is, for changes in society's attitude and behaviours in order to ensure the sustainability of life on Earth, especially when anthropogenic changes are threatening our planet [24][25][26]. Environmentalism is a well-known social movement, and much has already been invested in promoting social change via a huge range of environmental behaviours on multiple scales (ranging from energy conservation and the adoption of green technology to household composting and community gardening in urban areas) [24,27].…”

The Role of Translation in Citizen Science to Foster Social Innovation

“…Process perspective Cajaiba Santana (2014) Agency Institutions Social systems Three dimensions of social innovation Moulaert et al (2005) Content (satisfaction of human needs) Process (changes in social relations) Empowerment (increase in socio-political capability and access to resources) Four key elements of social innovation Portales (2019) Satisfaction of a need Innovation of the solution Change of social structures and relationships The increase in society's capacity to act Key dimensions of social innovation Howaldt et al (2014) Concepts and understanding Addressed societal needs and challenges Resources, capabilities and constraints Process dynamics Actors, networks and governance Engaged research Stanton (2008) Purpose Process Product Ten social innovation influencing factors Oganisjana et al (2015) Openness responsibility, proactive thinking, lifelong learning, positive experience, passivity, conservative thinking, power distance and bureaucracy (Oganisjana et al, 2015). Focus group discussions revealed that the six categories openness to novelty, proactive thinking, consciousness, responsibility, lifelong learning, and positive experience can promote social innovation if they are present (and hinder social innovation if they are absent).…”

“…Social innovation thus results in new solutions, such as products, processes, activities or services that satisfy a social need and enhance a society’s capacity to act. Social innovation depends on the contribution and participation of all actors ( Portales, 2019 ). In contrast to other forms of innovation, social innovation is not aimed at maximizing profit and having a competitive advantage but is driven by the concern for communities (a social need or social problem) and results in social change among a large number of people ( do Adro and Fernandes, 2020 ).…”

“…The change that results from social innovation targets social practices. It manifests in “changes in attitudes, behaviors, or perceptions, resulting in new social practices, new institutions, and new social systems that allow visualizing a real transformation of society” ( Portales, 2019 ). Social innovations are rooted in their social context defined by various historical and cultural framework conditions.…”

“…They can be any actor, i.e., individuals or entire communities independent of the sector of society. However, social change can only be achieved if actors from all sectors participate in social innovation processes, since critical actors are crucial to solve a complex problem ( Portales, 2019 ).…”