Theoretical and Practical Approaches to Social Innovation 1 volume

Social innovation is identified as a mechanism response to burning social challenges and the evolution of hybrid organizations such as social enterprises. As a result there is an overwhelming growing interest among researchers policymakers and practitioners to know more about the significant concept of social innovation. Despite this significance it is often argued that the meaning of social innovation is ambiguous and vague with theory lagging social innovation practice as the field is nascent emerging and remains underdeveloped. This may impede the research endeavors of conceptualizing and establishing its socio-economic underpinnings and the legitimization of the field. Theoretical and Practical Approaches to Social Innovation illuminates and consolidates multiple views of social innovation theory research and practice which to date have not been presented in one publication. The book provides an in-depth theoretical and practical understanding coupled with an assessment of the current research in multidisciplinary perspectives complemented by case studies representing each knowledge cluster in social innovation research. In this unique way this book links theory to practice demonstrating praxis. While highlighting topics such as social enterprise urban studies management ecological resilience and social policy and networks this book is ideal for students academics practitioners researchers and entrepreneurs looking to expand their knowledge skills and passion and to sustainably pursue their social missions to bring about real social change that can transform communities and ignite innovative approaches to solving social challenges.