Abstract

Innovative solutions to address the ‘wicked problems’ of society such as poverty, inequality and illiteracy have attracted increased attention from scholars and practitioners. Such novel solutions to social challenges are referred to as social innovations (SI). As a concept, SI has witnessed a remarkable increase in its conceptual scope as various research communities continue to examine the complex phenomenon. However, the literature on SI is also forced to negotiate with an ever-expanding breadth of what constitutes as SI. In addition, insights are fragmented across studies and there is a lack of clarity on SI as a process of change. This study attempts to address these concerns by adopting a longitudinal view which discusses the conceptual evolution of SI which is unlikely to remain static in its contemporary form. Next, the author suggests boundary conditions in order to ‘put a fence’ around the concept and distinguish it from commercial innovations. Furthermore, the literature on SI from four research communities is analysed to discuss emerging themes and directions for future research. The themes are distilled into core components of SI for conceptual clarity on our contemporary view of the phenomenon. The author also discusses the three defining features of the process-based view of SI as dynamic, negotiated and iterative. To achieve these goals, the author examined the factors and stakeholders of SI in 83 peer-reviewed articles. These factors were termed as the antecedents, enablers, limiters and consequences of social innovation. In addition, an interview study of 5 social innovators was conducted to provide preliminary empirical support for the process-based view of SI. The study also analysed the congruencies and differences amongst factors of SI with those found in existing literature.