Innovation in humanities and social sciences: definition, specification, valuation

Sepehr Ghazinoory (), Parvaneh Aghaei (), Gelayol Safavi () and Mostafa Safdari Ranjbar ()
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Sepehr Ghazinoory: Tarbiat Modares University
Parvaneh Aghaei: National Research Institute for Science Policy
Gelayol Safavi: National Research Institute for Science Policy
Mostafa Safdari Ranjbar: University of Tehran

Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, 2025, vol. 59, issue 5, No 19, 4305-4339

Abstract: Abstract Innovation has been known as a technological phenomenon in the literature. In recent years, this concept has been discussed in the literature as a social phenomenon. As a result, the role of humanities and social sciences (HSS) as the sciences from which non-technological innovations originate gained special importance. However, neither an agreed definition for this type of innovation nor a methodology for valuating it has been provided so far. In this regard, the present paper seeks to define HSS innovations and provide a method for valuating these innovations. For this purpose, first, to reach the definition of innovation in HSS, the research literature is investigated using the discourse analysis method, and different discourses were identified around this issue. Then, the innovation in HSS was defined according to the three layers of Novelty, Value, and Acceptance. In the next step, a valuation framework was presented according to the two criteria of value creation and contribution attraction. Finally, some policy implications for better utilization of HSS are provided.

Keywords: HSS; Science definition; Technology definition; Innovation in humanities and social sciences; Soft technologies; Softer technologies; Soft innovations; Softer innovations; Innovation valuation in humanities and social sciences; Discourse analysis; O35 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s11135-025-02178-8

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