What is it about?
The dynamics of social innovation processes are of a complex nature and an underdeveloped research field. Social Innovation Biographies (SIBs) are a valuable methodology to reflect the evolutionary character of the dynamics of the social initiatives´ innovation processes in deepening the understanding of development paths, knowledge trajectories and stakeholder interactions at the micro-level. SIBs provide a comprehensive methodological solution including desk research, narrative interviews, semi-structured interviews, egocentric network analysis and triangulation as a step-by-step approach. SIBs allow to analyse social innovation cases and underlying processes in three dimensions: horizontally, vertically and comparatively. Besides its various advantages, SIBs also address methodological challenges related to the selection of critical cases, mobilising interviewees, securing the quantity and quality of information, overcoming selectiveness and reinforcing confidence.
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Why is it important?
Social Innovation Biographies as a methodology allows to gain detailed insights into the evolvement of social innovations, involved actors and knowledge dynamics.
Perspectives
Based on earlier research of my colleague Anna Butzin, we applied this methodology for the first time to social innovation which as an exciting task. Also we would like to motivate other researchers to apply this methodology in their research.
Dr Judith Terstriep
Westphalian University Gelsenkirchen, Institute for Work and Technology
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Analysing the Social Innovation Process – The Methodology of Social Innovation Biographies, European Public & Social Innovation Review, January 2017, Sinnergiak Social Innovation,
DOI: 10.31637/epsir.17-2.2.
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