1,721,005 research outputs found
Do we need utopia for a theory of social innovation as social change?
No full textThis chapter introduces social innovation (SI) as a concept of social change. After introducing conceptual work of recent years that situates SI in a democratic tradition of systemic change, particularly Transformative Social Innovation theory, we explore the relevance of utopia as additional element of a theory of social innovation as social change. While multi-level system approaches try to provide analytical tools to measure the impact of SI efforts over time they do not elaborate enough on the role of initial motivations, worldviews and hopes of social actors who decide to engage in SI processes, inspired by dreams and visions of alternatives. Human desire and imagined possibilities are considered key drivers of action but they are under-estimated in SI research with transformational interest. To bring their role to the fore we suggest working with Levitas’ distinction of content, functions and form of utopia to help operationalise the utopian dimension in relation to motivations and goals of SI. Utopia helps to formulate and reformulate a critique of the present, which can motivate SI but in Levitas’ approach it also encourages ongoing critical reflection on change actions and efforts. Used in a theory of change together with more system-centered approaches like TSI we make a conceptually derived argument that utopia can help towards a more integrated understanding of SI and social change by keeping focus on the role of actors throughout SI process and outcomes
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
UNHCR in Colombia, humanitarian-development nexus through a post-development lens: a case study
No full textThe following work investigates, through the critical lens of post-development theory, the practice of humanitarian-development nexus in the context of the UNHCR humanitarian intervention in Colombia. The main humanitarian actor researched upon is the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), whose presence and role in the region is explained with a brief contextual introduction that describes the issues of displacement in the country and how it is worsened by the recent crisis in neighbouring Venezuela. The research shows, through the lens of post-development and participation theory, how humanitarian and peace-keeping intervention promoted by UNHCR transcends, in Colombia, into development practices. The theoretical framework proposes post-development theories in a post-colonial ontology, presenting a post-development approach on participation. As mentioned, the theory sections continue describing participatory theories and introducing the concept of humanitarian-development-peace nexus. The methodology section describes the qualitative case study design embedded in the post-development and post colonial ontology, which is mainly conducted with secondary data analysis and literature review. The literature is composed of relevant articles and project reports, often produced by UNHCR itself, but not exclusively. The analysis merges the collected secondary data and the theoretical concepts, in order to critically discuss the implications and problems of the humanitarian-development nexus practices in Colombia. Furthermore, another analysis section analyzes the topic through the lenses of participatory theory. What we ended up encountering looking through the post-development critique applied on humanitarian-development-peace nexus emerging in the UNHCR response to the displacement crisis in Colombia mainly revolves around a double-faceted controversy, with one conceptual and one pragmatic component. The conceptual component of the mentioned double-faceted issue is, in fact, regarding this westernized ontology on development, emerging in UNHCR interventions in Colombia. The second component of the referred double problem concerns the more pragmatic sphere of local participation, affected people involvement and transparency. The choice of grounding the research design and epistemology in a post-colonial approach, together with the use of post-development theories for generating original knowledge around the topic of the nexus as present in the Colombian crisis, show how the research is itself rooted in the humanities dimension. Those original findings, despite rudimental, contribute to the debate on humanitarian interventions underlying the relevance of post-development perspectives in a humanities framework.<br/
When Does Social Innovation Appear? A Case Study
No full textThis project aims to dive deeper into the early stages of the social innovation process, as we perceive a poten-tial gap in the academic field, since the concept is often defined based on positive social outcome. To exam-ine our reflection, we have conducted a case study based upon semi-structured interviews to investigate the social start-up, Sajira, in order to analyze and discuss them as a possible case of social inno-vation. By applying the critical hermeneutic approach, we aim to understand and critically assess Sajira. Fur-thermore, we utilize the abductive reasoning to propose our best qualified explanation regarding Sajira as a potential case of social innovation. To do so, we will apply the theories of the open social innova-tion paradigm in relation to the social innovation process and positive social change. Based on above, our best qualified explanation results in Sajira being a case of social innovation, and therefore we conclude that the concept occurs in the early stages of Sajira’s process, if one accepts the possibility for Sajira’s process to evolve in a different direction than social innovation
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Solid waste management in Doko Recyclers
No full textSolid Waste management has become serious issue in Kathmandu, Nepal. The effort from government seems to be less effective and disturbed working environment due to plan and policies. Social enterprise is coming up in the society to solve the raising problem of the waste management. They have come-up with the new concept and aim of minimizing the problem of solid waste management. So, we have chosen one of the social enterprise DOKO recyclers, who is currently working on the waste management. This enterprise is based on Kathmandu, Nepal. So, we have chosen Doko as a case company and did research on that organization. It has created digital platform for solving the problem of waste management through proper segregation and providing incentive-based system. So, here we have done single case study, which helps to go on depth. we have used qualitative data like interview as an primary source and secondary like documents etc. interview has been conducted with co-founder Raghavendra Mahto and technical & strategic director Ashma Basnyat from the Doko recyclers. From the taken interview, themes have been created and try to bring them on anlysis part for discussion. Leadership style of Doko recyclers has been figure out and has been discussed in our research project. We have done research how these organization is working and how it is helping the society for building of the socio-economic value. The research has been deeply done how they are creating socio economic value and they measure it. To support it, leadership theories like Transformational theory and for social value, socio economic theory has been used in our project has been analysed. discussion has been critically done and have tried to include the methods and data for the deep discussion. Thus, this project will give idea of social enterprise, creating socio-economic vale and its leadership styles. Also reader can know their process and how they measure impact in the society
The Social Entrepreneur and Artificial Intelligence: Transition Empowerment for Sustainability
No full textIn light of the ability for social entrepreneurs to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to address global issues of sustainability, this thesis draws attention to the possibilities of social enterprises to pave the way for a more ethical transition to a technological society. This thesis investigates the power dynamics found within three enterprises, to better understand the benefits and challenges that entrepreneurs are faced with in using AI to empower themselves and society. This research into what is called ‘Intelligent Empowerment’ offers insights into the human-AI relationship that is developing throughout society today. AI, or automation and robots, are rapidly developing and are gradually replacing human work forces, which have caused a myriad of social issues, and particularly disempowerment. Such issues are job replacement and the challenge of new job creation, rights to data privacy, unexplainable decision-making done by AI, exploitation of people based on their personal data, challenges in policy regulation and democratic development of AI and even feelings of loneliness. On the same token, AI offers humans with immense ability to power through those challenges and form a mutually beneficial relationship, where challenges of sustainability can be solved by this cooperation. It is important for social entrepreneurs to be aware of the challenges posed by AI, as we are navigating new territories, and paving the way for how AI can be used for the empowerment of people, for the long run. In this exploration of the human-AI relationship phenomenon, the POINT’s Framework by Avelino (2011) is the guiding light in determining evidence for (dis)empowerment of three social enterprises using AI
Social Entrepreneurship in Egypt: Towards Sustainable Development in Underprivileged Communities
No full textThe thesis investigates how social entrepreneurship contribute to developing underprivileged communities in Egypt, and which factors affect the performance of social enterprises in Egypt. My empirical data consist of observations in underprivileged communities and interviews with social enterprises in Egypt. My theoretical framework is based on social capital, ladder of citizen participation, evaluation of community projects, the role of intermediaries and legitimacy. The analysis section looks at how social enterprises in Egypt perceive their role in developing underprivileged communities, the challenges they face and the forms of support they need in order to efficiently develop underprivileged communities in a difficult environment. I conclude that social enterprises in Egypt contribute to developing underprivileged communities through different activities, primary within the field of education, health care, children/youth engagement and entrepreneurship. The main challenges faced by social enterprises in Egypt are government restrictions, the Egyptian law and the mental-model in Egypt
Lost in Translation? Which discourses create the public understanding of social entrepreneurship in Germany? - A contemporary analysis set in the city-state Hamburg
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