 Social innovation competencies: bridging the gap between theory and practiceMónica Edwards-Schachter Chapter 2 in Handbook of Teaching and Learning in Social Innovation, 2026, pp 24-44 from Edward Elgar Publishing Abstract: This chapter examines the development of social innovation competencies within higher education, drawing from a comprehensive literature review. It highlights two main perspectives: an instrumental approach linked to entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship theory, and a transformative approach focusing on systemic change, ethics, governance, and long-term societal impact. While the concept of social innovation and its associated competencies are often referenced, they tend to be treated superficially, with a lack of critical definition and examination. The distinction between competencies related to social entrepreneurship and those specific to social innovation is often unclear. Although recent frameworks reflect aspects of the transformative perspective, their implementation in higher education lacks conceptual clarity. Nevertheless, higher education institutions are well positioned to enhance this agenda by integrating holistic, future-oriented competencies that support interconnected social, digital, and green transitions. Keywords: Social Innovation Competencies; Competency Framework; Higher Education; Instrumental Social Innovation; Transformative Social Innovation; Green; Digital and Social Transition (search for similar items in EconPapers) Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:elg:eechap:22637_2 Ordering information: This item can be ordered from Access Statistics for this chapter More chapters in Chapters from Edward Elgar Publishing |
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