6
S. Hostettler
1.4 Need for Social Impact
Innovation is the new buzzword. Much hope has been placed on technological innovation, social innovation, financial innovation, and organizational innovation; we
might even start hearing talk about the need to innovate innovation. However, innovation in itself is not enough. Social impact—meaning positive change for society
and, in this case, low-income communities in the Global South—requires successful
implementation and use of technologies at a large scale. Why, with rampant technological innovation, does the social impact of technology remain so limited? There
are still many needs unmet in many parts of the world, and much hope is being
placed on innovation to accelerate the implementation of the SDG’s that aim for significant social impact. This chapter explores some of the decisive key factors when
considering how we can move from innovation to social impact.
Figure 1.1 shows a thermal water heating system based on photovoltaic pipes in
Ghandruk, Nepal. Initial cost of USD 400 for an average use life of 10 years. Enough
hot water is provided for six hot showers for tourists per day, providing an additional
sustainable opportunity for revenue creation.
Fig. 1.1 Thermal water heating system
S. Hostettler
1.4 Need for Social Impact
Innovation is the new buzzword. Much hope has been placed on technological innovation, social innovation, financial innovation, and organizational innovation; we
might even start hearing talk about the need to innovate innovation. However, innovation in itself is not enough. Social impact—meaning positive change for society
and, in this case, low-income communities in the Global South—requires successful
implementation and use of technologies at a large scale. Why, with rampant technological innovation, does the social impact of technology remain so limited? There
are still many needs unmet in many parts of the world, and much hope is being
placed on innovation to accelerate the implementation of the SDG’s that aim for significant social impact. This chapter explores some of the decisive key factors when
considering how we can move from innovation to social impact.
Figure 1.1 shows a thermal water heating system based on photovoltaic pipes in
Ghandruk, Nepal. Initial cost of USD 400 for an average use life of 10 years. Enough
hot water is provided for six hot showers for tourists per day, providing an additional
sustainable opportunity for revenue creation.
Fig. 1.1 Thermal water heating system