Key Note Speech Frances Westley on 'The History of Social Innovation'

Summary

The speaker from the Waterloo Institute for Social Innovation and Resilience explores the rich theoretical and practical frameworks underpinning social innovation. Drawing from various fields such as sociology, complexity theory, and institutional entrepreneurship, the discussion emphasizes the importance of adjacent possibilities and the dynamics of social system change. Key distinctions are made between scaling out ideas and scaling up transformative impacts. The presentation highlights the need for a collaborative approach to research that incorporates diverse epistemologies, aiming for actionable insights that drive meaningful transformations in broken social systems.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Waterloo Institute for Social Innovation and Resilience explores complex frameworks that inform social innovation practices.
• 😀 Emergence and bricolage are key concepts in understanding how new ideas combine and evolve.
• 😀 Adjacent possible ideas are crucial for innovation, representing concepts that are close in proximity and can recombine to create new solutions.
• 😀 Multiple theoretical frameworks contribute to social innovation, including management theories, sociology, complexity theory, and system ecology.
• 😀 Social innovation is defined as initiatives that challenge and change the underlying dynamics of social systems, aiming for durability and transformative impact.
• 😀 A distinction exists between scaling out (spreading ideas) and scaling up (transforming systems), which are essential for successful social innovation.
• 😀 Successful social innovations often require institutional or system entrepreneurs who can navigate complex social and political contexts.
• 😀 The historical perspective is vital for understanding the evolution of successful social innovations and their enduring characteristics.
• 😀 Methodological diversity is important in researching complex social problems, emphasizing a balance between expert-driven and participatory approaches.
• 😀 A collaborative database for social innovations could help consolidate knowledge and foster connections across various research and practice domains.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the Waterloo Institute for Social Innovation and Resilience?

The institute focuses on exploring theories and practices related to social innovation and resilience, aiming to understand how ideas emerge and transform within complex systems.

Who are Steven Johnson and Brian Arthur, and how do their theories relate to the discussion?

Steven Johnson and Brian Arthur are theorists who examine how good ideas emerge through a complexity lens, discussing concepts like emergence and the adjacent possible, which are crucial in understanding social innovation.

What is meant by 'adjacent possible' in the context of social innovation?

The 'adjacent possible' refers to the ideas and inventions that are closely related and can combine to create new innovations, highlighting how proximity to existing concepts can foster new developments.

What are some of the building blocks identified in the development of social innovation?

Key building blocks include management theories, sociology, complexity theory, and systems ecology, each contributing unique insights to the understanding of social innovation.

How does the institute define social innovation?

Social innovation is defined as any initiative, product, process, or program that challenges and contributes to changing the routines, resources, authority flows, or beliefs of the broader social system.

What distinction does the speaker make between scaling out and scaling up social innovations?

Scaling out refers to spreading an idea across different organizations or communities, while scaling up involves transforming that idea within a broader institutional context, often requiring different skills and approaches.

Why is understanding the role of institutional entrepreneurs important in social innovation?

Institutional entrepreneurs play a critical role in connecting new ideas to broader institutional opportunities, facilitating the transformation process needed for effective social change.

What challenges do social entrepreneurs face when trying to scale their innovations?

Social entrepreneurs often encounter difficulties when scaling out that can lead to overextension and failure to achieve systemic transformation, necessitating a shift towards institutional entrepreneurship.

What methodology does the speaker suggest for researching social innovation?

The speaker advocates for a flexible methodology that combines expert-driven research with participatory action research, allowing for an iterative process of learning and adaptation.

What is the significance of a social innovation database as mentioned in the presentation?

A social innovation database aims to compile various case studies and variables related to social innovation, enabling researchers and practitioners to analyze patterns and insights across different contexts.