University-Society Integration Through Action Research Projects
481
Table 1 Social innovation definitions
Authors
Definition
Means to transform
reality
Social aim
Mumford (2002, p. 1) “The term social
innovation, as used
here, refers to the
generation and
implementation of new
ideas about how people
should organize
interpersonal activities,
or social interactions,
to meet one or more
common goals”
New ideas
Interpersonal
relationships or
common goals
Westall (2007, p. 6)
“(…) focused on social
goals, new products of
new qualities of
products, new methods
of organization and/or
production (often
involving different
partners and
resources), new
production factors such
as atypical
employment and
involvement in
governance, mixing
voluntary and paid
employment, as well as
new market relations
such as the changing
welfare mix, or new
legal forms”
Products, services,
organization methods,
and labor relations
Welfare and new
forms of working
relationships
Phills et al. (2008,
p. 36)
“A novel solution to a
social problem that is
more effective,
efficient, sustainable,
or just than existing
solutions and for which
the value created
accrues primarily to
society as a whole
rather than private
individuals”
New and useful solution Social need
(continued)
481
Table 1 Social innovation definitions
Authors
Definition
Means to transform
reality
Social aim
Mumford (2002, p. 1) “The term social
innovation, as used
here, refers to the
generation and
implementation of new
ideas about how people
should organize
interpersonal activities,
or social interactions,
to meet one or more
common goals”
New ideas
Interpersonal
relationships or
common goals
Westall (2007, p. 6)
“(…) focused on social
goals, new products of
new qualities of
products, new methods
of organization and/or
production (often
involving different
partners and
resources), new
production factors such
as atypical
employment and
involvement in
governance, mixing
voluntary and paid
employment, as well as
new market relations
such as the changing
welfare mix, or new
legal forms”
Products, services,
organization methods,
and labor relations
Welfare and new
forms of working
relationships
Phills et al. (2008,
p. 36)
“A novel solution to a
social problem that is
more effective,
efficient, sustainable,
or just than existing
solutions and for which
the value created
accrues primarily to
society as a whole
rather than private
individuals”
New and useful solution Social need
(continued)