Paper short abstract:

This research aims to compile and analyze the entrepreneurship study programs taught in Mexico in the last twenty years, to make an inventory of programs, compare them, and reflect on how to teach entrepreneurship in the university environment.

Paper long abstract:

The advancement of entrepreneurship has increased in Mexico in the last two decades following recommendations from international organizations such as the OECD, which have promoted the idea that the university can and should participate in the socioeconomic development of nations. Various programs have emerged to train entrepreneurs at all educational levels, mainly at the upper secondary and tertiary levels.

A recent line of research explores entrepreneurship in higher education, and several empirical studies have addressed these aspects. These studies analyze aspects like the effectiveness of the teaching-learning process for the development of entrepreneurship, difficulties in fulfilling the university mission of promoting entrepreneurship, the context of university entrepreneurship, psychosocial characteristics in the entrepreneurial intention of students, and problems of the development of competencies, skills, initiatives, culture, attitudes, and entrepreneurial spirit in students (Damián-Simón, 2022a, 2022b).

However, research on teaching entrepreneurship remains scarce and addresses the above topics only partially. In Mexico, a little-explored aspect is the curricular content of entrepreneurship education in recent decades. This research aims to compile and analyze the entrepreneurship study programs taught in Mexico in the last twenty years, particularly those that stand out nationally, to make an inventory of programs, compare them, and reflect on how to teach entrepreneurship in the university environment. A particular objective of this study is to explore the incorporation of social entrepreneurship and social innovation in entrepreneurship education, given the international relevance of this type of preparation.

Paper short abstract:

A flourishing expression of social innovation in academia is through knowledge exchange. While its social value is undoubtable, the metrics to assess this are often contested if not absent. This paper explores the KE evaluation frameworks and proposes a new approach for social impact assessment.

Paper long abstract:

Teaching, research and knowledge exchange (KE) are three key missions of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The last one involves infrastructures, support mechanisms and collaborative processes between universities and non-academic partners aiming to deliver economic and societal impact. While the economic value of technology transfer activities such as licensing or spin-offs is relatively well defined, the social value of these innovations is hardly measured.

Furthermore, KE practices also include academic activities for social impact whose visibility might be hindered owing to the lack of accountability and measurement conventions (Desrosières, 2010; Espeland & Sauder, 2007; Power, 2013). Academic initiatives such as advisory work for policy making, social ventures, consultancy or entrepreneurial initiatives with local communities are manifestations of social innovation for regenerative development and integral part of academic citizenship for faculty members and students, yet the metrics that might provide evidence of their value are highly contested. (Mawson, 2023; Perkmann et al., 2021; Pitt et al., 2023)

Notwithstanding, the potential of KE to contribute to sustainable development has prompted national governments to support KE with funding and public policy. Over the past 30 years specific evaluation frameworks have been developed accordingly (Ulrichsen, 2023; Ulrichsen et al., 2023; Ulrichsen & Moore, 2014). This presentation aims, firstly, to review KE evaluation frameworks for academic engagement. Secondly, drawing on previous research on meaningful measurement (Ramirez, 2023) an innovative approach to developing metrics for the social innovations will be proposed and, thirdly, this framework will be applied to a specific study case in the KE field.

Paper long abstract:

The objective of this work is to analyze the determinants of women’s participation in the use of e-learning in Cameroon. The methodology implemented uses data from the survey on the practice of new digital media carried out in Cameroon in 2021 by the Center for Research Studies in Economics and Management (Cereg) with the technical support of the National Institute of Statistics (Ins). The results of the estimates carried out on the basis of the dichotomous Logit model and deepened by the Heckman regression show that there is a positive and significant relationship between the use of e-learning by women and the Francophone and Anglophone education subsystems with probabilities increasing by 11.59% and 7.81% respectively. This would testify to the acceptance of e-learning technology by Women in these two educational subsystems. This is how the use of e-learning has a positive effect on obtaining a higher education diploma with an increase in the probability of 2.4%. However, there is no link between the use of e-learning and obtaining a primary diploma and a secondary diploma. This would justify the inadequacy of policies related to the use of e-learning to improve success or even school performance in these educational subsystems.

Paper short abstract:

This contribution explores data altruism within EU data governance, assessing its capacity as a social innovation in addressing contemporary societal challenges. Data altruism concerns individuals and organizations across the EU voluntarily sharing data for objectives of general interest.

Paper long abstract:

Data altruism, characterized by voluntary data sharing for societal benefits, represents a paradigmatic shift in EU data governance, challenging conventional notions of capitalism, ownership and control. Within this context, data altruism emerges as a form of social innovation that fosters collaboration and collective action to address contemporary societal challenges. By transcending individual interests and promoting the common good, data altruism may be framed as a social innovation in the EU data infrastructure , which emphasizes bottom-up approaches to problem-solving, inclusive governance and the socio-political dimensions of data collection, analysis, and use.

Through empirical examples, such as collaborative data-sharing initiatives in scientific research and environmental monitoring, this contribution demonstrates how data altruism can drive social innovation by enabling new forms of knowledge production and collective decision-making. Specifically, this contribution discusses the implications of data altruism for governance structures, emphasizing the need for participatory and reflexive approaches to data governance that account for diverse stakeholders' interests and values.

By integrating insights from social innovation theory, this contribution develops a nuanced understanding of data altruism as a socio-technical phenomenon that shapes and is shaped by broader social, political, legal and economic contexts. It underscores the transformative potential of data altruism, while also highlighting the challenges and complexities inherent in its implementation within existing data sharing practices. Ultimately, this contribution calls for a reimagining of data governance that prioritizes societal well-being and collective action, guided by principles of justice, democracy and the notion of the common good.

Paper short abstract:

According to the literature, social innovation could generate many benefits for community development; However, there are very few empirical studies that support this statement.

Paper long abstract:

According to the literature, social innovation could generate many benefits for community development; However, there are very few empirical studies that support this statement. To find out what the benefits or drawbacks of social innovation are, this project compares two rural communities in the municipality of Atzitzihuacan in the state of Puebla, Mexico.

The community of San Pedro Ixhuatepec has been subject only to federal policies that seek to promote social and economic development. In contrast, the community of Santiago Atzitzihuacan, in addition to public policies, has participated in several development projects that seek social innovation and involve external actors such as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and a state public university.

In both communities, development indicators are reviewed and key informants are interviewed.

Paper short abstract:

This study explores Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) as a Social Innovation, assessing the acceptance of subsidy options within low-income families to make CSAs more inclusive and unlock health and environmental benefits. Preliminary findings offer insights into implementation strategies.

Paper long abstract:

Facing the social, economic, political and environmental challenges of the 21st century, social innovation (SI) is emerging as a key paradigm that prioritizes the creation of social value over private value. This study positions Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) as a vibrant example of SI, aimed at tackling chronic diseases, mental health issues, and environmental challenges through sustainable food systems. By fostering local farming and offering healthier consumption patterns, CSA addresses not only environmental sustainability but also social inequalities by making healthy food accessible to economically disadvantaged populations.

Despite the potential of CSA, critiques highlight its exclusivity and limited reach. The proposed Cost-Offset-CSA (CO-CSA) model seeks to counteract this by facilitating access for low-income households through innovative subsidizing schemes, including member donations, grants, and income-adjusted pricing strategies.

Our ongoing study investigates CO-CSA's relevance for low-income families in Austria, exploring payment preferences, subsidy acceptability, and participation barriers. Preliminary results from an online survey of 93 participants reveal moderate CSA familiarity, a preference for public funding over member donations or income-adjusted prices, and an average willingness to pay of 22.77 euros for weekly harvest shares. These findings underscore the potential of CSA as a social innovation that can contribute to economic equity and environmental sustainability.

By integrating empirical research with the SI discourse, this study offers valuable insights for broader CSA adoption and implementation strategies. It contributes to the literature on SI by providing evidence of CSA's effectiveness in fostering social value.

Paper short abstract:

Examining three Indian tech initiatives as examples of social innovation that highlight public-interest issues, this paper shows how civil society actors are developing their own communication channels to fight democratic decline caused by political corruption and media capture.

Paper long abstract:

In the face of global democratic challenges posed by political corruption, media capture by politicians and big business, and rampant fake news on social media, civil society actors are developing innovative solutions to highlight public-interest issues not shown in the larger media ecosystem. These actors use tech-driven data-sharing practices, which function as socially responsible journalism, addressing gaps left by traditional and social media. This trend is especially significant in India, where recent democratic backsliding has seen both legacy and new media platforms promoting political narratives over genuine public voices. In this context, civil society organizations are fostering new, alternative journalistic practices to ensure that critical public-interest issues are brought to the forefront.

This paper examines three technological platforms as examples of social innovation addressing matters of public concern by functioning as alternative media in the broader media landscape. "I Paid a Bribe" crowdsources data on public office bribery, offering a form of data journalism on petty corruption. The "Association for Democratic Reforms" provides a repository of electoral data on candidates and political party funding through its website and app, aiding journalists as data allies in reporting on electoral integrity. "CGNet Swara" is a community radio service acting as social media for the poor in remote Indian areas, ensuring their voices are heard despite mainstream media neglect.

Paper short abstract:

In Latin America, solidarity economy agendas have generated the concept ‘social technology’. It denotes designs for democratic self-management, user benefits, and low-cost easy reproduction. The concept has been extended to from production methods to short supply chains (circuitos cortos), which bring producers socially closer to consumers.

Paper long abstract:

In Latin America, the term ‘innovation’ has been contentious. It has become associated with Northern neocolonial models, whose capital-intensive investments seek labour exploitation, resource plunder, economic growth and a competitive advantage in global markets. By contrast, solidaristic alternatives have elaborated the concept ‘social technology’. These are designed for democratic self-management, user benefits, and low-cost easy reproduction. Hence ‘social technology’ has analogies with ‘social innovation’ in the global North.

Social technology has arisen especially from producers’ initiatives for a solidarity economy. Later the original concept was expanded to ‘socio-environmental technologies’, making explicit the aim to minimise resource burdens. Such technologies are exemplified by agroecological production methods, for which techno-designs have helped conserve natural resources. To avoid pest problems, farmers cultivate many crop varieties, while exchanging the seeds and experiential knowledge. To capture rainwater, for example, modular cisterns depend on mutual aid for their construction.

For a solidarity economy, some technologies help to bring producers socially closer to consumers through short supply chains; these encompass farmers’ markets, weekly box schemes, Community Supported Agriculture and public procurement. These have become prominent in Latin America as a solidarity economy. Many initiatives began or extended digital platforms for food orders, especially cell-phone apps, thereby reaching more consumers than before. These efforts have depended upon wider solidaristic expertise and networks –for designing each innovation, as well as for educating consumers about the many societal benefits. STS perspectives have engaged such efforts through Participatory Action Research, extending the horizontal knowledge-exchange which generate and popularise such innovations.

Paper short abstract:

This paper explores the Violence Protection Monitor, a social program aimed at enhancing safety in German refugee accommodations. Through Bourdieusian and co-production frameworks it analyzes the dynamics among key actors, emphasizing the necessity of collaboration in addressing violence protection.

Paper long abstract:

After the influx of refugees in 2015, the harsh conditions and considerable violence within refugee accommodations in Germany came under scrutiny, prompting the establishment of a federal initiative focused on knowledge acquisition and protection strategies for these settings. This initiative led to the formation of minimum standards for violence protection and emphasized the need for monitoring their implementation. The Violence Protection Monitor was suggested to support this.

This paper explores the creation and implementation of the Violence Protection Monitor, as a sociotechnical phenomenon aimed at enhancing safety in refugee accommodations. The program is designed to facilitate critical reflections on accommodation conditions, their enhancements and regressions for both employees and management, and its development and implementation has varied across seven states in Germany. As such this paper offers insight into the co-production process within different state institutions and policy frameworks.

Drawing on Bourdieusian and co-production (Jasanoff, 2004) frameworks, this study examines the dynamics among key actors involved in the development, adaptation, and implementation of the Violence Protection Monitor. Data from workshops, meetings, and events between 2019 and 2022 provide a nuanced qualitative investigation of the practices around the program and scrutinizes the collaborative and top-down approaches. Further, the paper underscores power dynamics between stakeholders on different levels (state, refugee accommodations, research team, NGO’s) and the persistence of hierarchical structures despite the new program. The process shows the importance and potential of collaboration across all levels of governance of refugee accommodations, which remains crucial in improving violence protection in German refugee accommodations.

Paper short abstract:

Responding to recurring calls for more conceptual clarity and solid theory on social innovation, this paper proposes a social-material and relational conceptual heuristic of social innovation.

Paper long abstract:

We conceptualize social Innovation (SI) as sets of ideas, objects and/or activities that change social-material relations and involve new ways of doing, thinking and organizing. We distinguish and specify different relevant units of analysis, including SI-initiatives, SI-actors and SI-fields. Furthermore, we explore the transformative potential of SI in terms of the processes through which SI-initiatives/actors/fields challenge, alter and/or replace dominant structures and institutions in a specific social-material context.

In our social-material conceptualization of transformative social innovation, we bridge relational approaches developed in sociology, actor-network theory and co-production studies, with more evolutionary perspectives as found in socio-technical transition research and sustainability studies, so as to offer a critical and systemic perspective on the transformative potential of social innovation.

Examples of social innovation with transformative ambitions include a very wide diversity (e.g. sharing platforms, citizens’ assemblies, participatory budgeting, food cooperatives, urban farming, co-working spaces, digital fabrication, ecovillages, and many more). Based on this empirical comparison and our conceptual heuristic, we conclude with avenues for future research on social innovation from a social-material perspective.

Paper short abstract:

This study examines the electric vehicle transition in Phoenix, using a socio-technical framework to understand infrastructure initiatives. The study further seeks to answer how the future of the EV transition will unfold in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the next five to ten years.

Paper long abstract:

The Future of Electric Vehicle Transition in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area

Electric vehicles are increasingly recognized as a key solution in the fight against climate change. However, existing scholarship often lacks a systemic perspective that integrates social dimensions, decision-making, and emerging technologies while simultaneously shaping the future of the EV transition.

To fill this gap, our study draws on a socio-technical transition framework to examine the complex interactions between social and technological elements and explore the mid-term stages of transition in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. The study further seeks to answer how the future of the EV transition will unfold in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the next five to ten years.

We first aim to provide a holistic understanding of EV infrastructure deployment initiatives and then specifically examine the role of utility decision-making in promoting electric vehicle infrastructure deployment.

Our approach involves a comprehensive review of publicly available documents, such as EV strategic plans, climate action plans, and policy papers, to identify the key actors and organizations in the EV ecosystem. Furthermore, we will conduct twenty-five semi-structured interviews with selected stakeholders to gain deeper insights into the dynamics of the EV transition. Our preliminary results indicate that the EV landscape in the Phoenix Metro Area will likely be diverse and heterogeneous in the near term.

Keywords: Socio-technical Systems, EV Transition, EV Infrastructure Deployment