Social innovation in Latin America: a university, government, and community partnership perspective

Evandro Coggo Cristofoletti and Shahamak Rezaei

Chapter 3 in Handbook of Grand Challenges in Global Production and Innovation Networks, 2025, pp 44-62 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Abstract: The chapter aims to discuss the particularities of social and inclusive innovation initiatives in Latin America based on cooperation between universities, government, and communities. Methodologically, from a documentary study of the Observatorio de Cooperación Ciudad – Universidad (City–University Cooperation Observatory), the sociotechnical arrangements of social innovation were analyzed according to their location, actors involved, social problem tackled, and related SDGs. The framework of science and technology studies (STS) and social innovation was mobilized to discuss the sociotechnical arrangements involved. As a result, it was observed that the partnership between the university, local government, and community is conducted within socio-technical arrangements that allow for a series of joint initiatives to address local social problems, such as the diagnosis of social problems, research in partnership, training and education initiatives, policy making, development of new technologies, and institutional arrangements. Furthermore, it was observed that the protagonism of public universities, especially mobilizing the extension universitaria academic mission (university engagement mission), is considered an essential specificity in the debate on social innovation and sustainable development in the region. The results contribute empirically and theoretically to understanding the particularities of social innovation in Latin America, provide insights on digital initiatives that could enable the integration of social innovation experiences, and discuss the potential of partnerships between government, communities, and universities.

Keywords: Social innovation; Inclusive innovation; Latin America; University-government-community cooperation; Science and technology studies (STS); Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035346509
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