Co-Creation for Social Innovation in the Ecosystem Context: The Role of Higher Educational Institutions

Richa Kumari, Ki-Seok Kwon, Byeong-Hee Lee and Kiseok Choi
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Richa Kumari: Department of Science and Technology Management Policy, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
Ki-Seok Kwon: Department of Public Policy, Hanbat National University, Daejeon 34158, Korea
Byeong-Hee Lee: Department of Science and Technology Management Policy, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
Kiseok Choi: Department of Science and Technology Management Policy, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-21

Abstract: This study examined the role of Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in promoting, creating, and sustaining social innovation. Recently, HEIs have extended their contribution beyond the traditional function of teaching and research to perform in socio-economic problem-solving. Considering the increasing trends of higher education involvement in social innovation practices, this study tries to examine the tools such as learning processes and systemic thinking approach that could be helpful to align the function and responsibilities of HEIs towards social innovation. The objective is to develop a theoretical understanding of the “co-creation for social innovation” concept and to understand the functions and activities of HEIs that can contribute to this process. To promote co-creation for social innovation, HEIs should actively encourage collaborative learning tools that focus on open platforms for collective action and systemic change that help them to engage with society and strengthen their collaboration with social actors. Different activities such as mutual learning and knowledge diffusion using a transdisciplinary approach, technology-based learning and collaboration, and relational transformation are key enablers that can promote social innovation.

Keywords: problem-solving; critical reflection; knowledge integration; social learning; systemic thinking (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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