Social Innovation beyond politics? A critical interplay of theory and practice within the social housing context

Valcke, Benjamin (2024) Social Innovation beyond politics? A critical interplay of theory and practice within the social housing context. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

The time for social innovation as a topic of both theoretical and practical interest has arrived. The European Commission has made social innovation a driver for changes in the economies and societies of member states in order to enhance the development of communities, the capabilities of individuals, and human well-being. Social innovation is featured in policy-oriented literature largely as a way to tackle social issues and social needs that “conventional” means, such as the market or the state do not meet effectively. Paradoxically, the emergent literature treats social innovation as an apolitical concept when it is operationalised and implemented at the local level. This calls for more critical investigation. Indeed, little is known about the strategic dimension of social innovation, especially when practices are embedded in local contexts. This research addresses this gap by answering the research question: “How does the way that social innovation practices are embedded, define the strategic and political dimensions of social innovation at the local level?” To do so, the study explores the social innovation practices developed by housing associations in the north of France and the south of England. The research draws on multiple case studies, consisting of 71 in-depth interviews with key stakeholders (including programme advisors and social innovation participants), and ethnographic observations (including social innovation training and participant observations). The thorough analysis of embedded social innovation practices shows that a “proximity” approach in the French case and a “personal development” approach in the English case are both driven by contextual and political considerations that underpin the strategic dimension of social innovation. In the challenging context of budgetary austerity, social innovation is necessary and represents a solution to maintain the increasingly fragile power of housing associations. These findings constitute the two key contributions of the study to the social innovation literature: 1) it develops a multi-layered and interdisciplinary understanding of social innovation, which provides a holistic conceptualisation including the organisational dimension 2) this understanding elucidates the critical strategic dimension of social innovation, which reveals the close relationship between social innovation and local politics. Through being associated with prestige, credibility and local competition over funds, social innovation is inextricably driven by political and financial stakes. Thus, the study offers critical policy contributions that will be relevant to local third-sector organisations involved in social innovation activities.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Norwich Business School
Depositing User:	Chris White
Date Deposited:	02 Sep 2024 07:52
Last Modified:	02 Sep 2024 07:52
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/96403
DOI:

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