Social Innovation
How Societies Find the Power to Change
1st Edition
Published on 26. November 2019
Book
Paperback/Softback
306 pages
978-1-4473-5379-9 (ISBN)
Description
The 21st century has brought a cornucopia of new knowledge and technologies. But there has been little progress in our ability to solve social problems using social innovation - the deliberate invention of new solutions to meet social needs - across the globe.
Geoff Mulgan is a pioneer in the global field of social innovation. Building on his experience advising international governments, businesses and foundations, he explains how it provides answers to today's global social, economic and sustainability issues. He argues for matching R&D in technology and science with a socially focused R&D and harnessing creative imagination on a larger scale than ever before.
Weaving together history, ideas, policy and practice, he shows how social innovation is now coming of age, offering a comprehensive view of what can be done to solve the global social challenges we face.
Geoff Mulgan is a pioneer in the global field of social innovation. Building on his experience advising international governments, businesses and foundations, he explains how it provides answers to today's global social, economic and sustainability issues. He argues for matching R&D in technology and science with a socially focused R&D and harnessing creative imagination on a larger scale than ever before.
Weaving together history, ideas, policy and practice, he shows how social innovation is now coming of age, offering a comprehensive view of what can be done to solve the global social challenges we face.
Reviews / Votes
"Mulgan's wide-ranging vision and extensive experience are on display in this whirlwind tour of the prospects and challenges facing social innovators. Enjoy the ride!" Mark H. Moore, Harvard University "This book helps us understand the crucial role of social innovation in shaping new social practices for the 21st century." Juergen Howaldt, TU Dortmund University "A bold, inspiring book that will leave you smarter, more inspired, and ready to improve the world. Geoff makes a strong case for how to drive social innovations locally and globally using deep rigour and powerful examples." Kriss Deiglmeier, CEO Tides "Demystifies and contextualises social innovation, showing us why we need it now, more than ever. It connects theory to practice and is a must-read for anyone wanting to improve society." Louise Pulford, Social Innovation Exchange "Based on the vast experience and insightful expertise of Geoff Mulgan, this book not only discusses the potential and limits of social innovation but, more importantly, showcases how all sectors can best embed its principles to address the most pressing challenges of our century." Isabel Mota, President of the Board of Trustees of Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation "This book gives a wide audience what some of us have been privileged to hear from Mulgan in person: the reflections of a profound thinker who is charting new territory in social innovation, demonstrating how we can rise to the most complex challenges of our era." Stephen Huddart, President & CEO, the McConnell Foundation.More details
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Bristol
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bristol University Press
Illustrations
Not illustrated
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
448 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4473-5379-9 (9781447353799)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
11/2019
1st Edition
Policy Press
€27.49
Available for download
E-Book
11/2019
1st Edition
Policy Press
€150.99
Available for download
Person
Sir Geoff Mulgan is Professor of Collective Intelligence, Public Policy and Social Innovation at University College London (UCL). Previously he was Chief Executive of Nesta, the UK's innovation foundation, Director of the government's Strategy Unit and Head of Policy in the Prime Minister's office, Chief Executive of The Young Foundation, Director of the think-tank Demos and Chief Adviser to Gordon Brown MP and a reporter on BBC TV and radio. He is a senior visiting scholar at Harvard University and advises governments around the world. He is the author of many books including Good and Bad Power (Penguin) and Big Mind (Princeton University Press).
Content
Introduction: the great imbalances
I MAKING SENSE OF SOCIAL INNOVATION
What is social innovation and how is it done?
The roots of social innovation and the fragile springs of social generativity
II. CHALLENGES, ROADBLOCKS AND SYSTEMS
The political context for social innovation now: thesis, antithesis and synthesis
Structural change and new social contracts: how innovation in welfare can address changing needs
Social production systems: what is the best unit for analysis and action?
Place-based systems change: how can governments, funders and civil society achieve more together?
III. SOURCES, IDEAS AND WAYS OF SEEING
The theoretical foundations of social innovation: sources, ideas and future directions
Social science and intelligence design
Observation, interpretation and activism: sociology's role in social change
Understanding how cultures change
A theory of belonging: how do we feel at home?
The interpretation of social change
IV GOOD AND BAD SOCIAL INNOVATION
Know Your Impact (and in praise of better borrowing)
The evolution of measures that matter: how do we know if social innovation is working?
Good and bad innovation: what theory and practice do we need to distinguish them?
V SOCIAL INNOVATION AND THE FUTURE
Social innovation in the 2020s
Thinking about the future
VI FRESH THINKING
I MAKING SENSE OF SOCIAL INNOVATION
What is social innovation and how is it done?
The roots of social innovation and the fragile springs of social generativity
II. CHALLENGES, ROADBLOCKS AND SYSTEMS
The political context for social innovation now: thesis, antithesis and synthesis
Structural change and new social contracts: how innovation in welfare can address changing needs
Social production systems: what is the best unit for analysis and action?
Place-based systems change: how can governments, funders and civil society achieve more together?
III. SOURCES, IDEAS AND WAYS OF SEEING
The theoretical foundations of social innovation: sources, ideas and future directions
Social science and intelligence design
Observation, interpretation and activism: sociology's role in social change
Understanding how cultures change
A theory of belonging: how do we feel at home?
The interpretation of social change
IV GOOD AND BAD SOCIAL INNOVATION
Know Your Impact (and in praise of better borrowing)
The evolution of measures that matter: how do we know if social innovation is working?
Good and bad innovation: what theory and practice do we need to distinguish them?
V SOCIAL INNOVATION AND THE FUTURE
Social innovation in the 2020s
Thinking about the future
VI FRESH THINKING