Embedded in the context of innovation economics, the study shows which social innovations and the actors behind them, in particular social enterprises and social entrepreneurs, play a role in overcoming major societal challenges. Social innovations are analyzed in terms of their type (and scope) as well as their contribution to solving major societal challenges and the associated transformations. In addition, the hurdles and obstacles to which activities for the creation and dissemination of social innovations are or can be exposed were examined. Case studies for comparative research discuss autonomous driving, the Covid-19 warn app, social housing, and energy cooperatives. On the basis of these results, the project team has worked out how framework conditions and incentive structures need to be adapted in order to achieve increased and thematically appropriate social innovation activity, and how targeted research and innovation policy measures should be designed for this purpose. The analysis also provides references to best practice examples from comparable countries and regions. On this basis, a number of specific recommendations for action were derived.
Key words: Social Innovation, policy failure, social enterprise, social entrepreneur, autonomous driving, Covid-19 warn app, social housing, energy cooperatives
Start: 10/22
End: 12/23
Durations: 14 months
Funding provider: German Expert Commission for Research and Innovation
Contact: Susanne Giesecke
Website: https://www.e-fi.de/en/
