The activities that constitute the phases of the social innovation process: A study in the context of social impact businesses

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the activities that constitute the phases of the social innovation process in the context of social impact businesses.

Theoretical framework

The literature on social innovation, social impact businesses, and the social innovation process was used. The Bhatt and Altinay (2013) model was applied as the basis for the study.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a qualitative case study approach, nine Brazilian cases of social impact businesses that generate social innovation were investigated. Data were collected from direct observation, documents, visual data, and semi-structured interviews, and analyzed using the content analysis technique.

Findings

The main findings indicate a complex process involving numerous activities in its different phases (initiation, development, restructuring, and scaling), as well as the important role of the entrepreneur, who is considered a highly relevant member of the process.

Practical & social implications of the research

The study demonstrates that the social innovation process is more complex than the literature has shown. The findings may also contribute to the practical field, whether for beginner entrepreneurs seeking to structure their businesses, or to more advanced initiatives that seek to give scalability to their proposals.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by exploring the activities that make up the social innovation process and identifying a complementary phase in the process proposed by Bhatt and Altinay (2013).

Keywords
– Social Innovation; Social Innovation Process; Social Impact Business