The implementation of grassroots product-oriented social innovations by non-governmental organisations: proposal of a measurement tool

Abstract

The aim of this article is to present a tool for measuring the implementation of grassroots product-oriented social innovations by non-governmental organisations (NGOs). This tool will enable a quantitative assessment of the activities of NGOs in regard to the implementation of these innovations as well as a comparison of various areas based on the number of organisations which implement these innovations. The validation of the tool was performed during studies conducted in 2017 on a random sample of NGOs located in Łódź (a city in central Poland). The studies resulted in the establishment of a two-factor structure for the Index of Implementation of Grassroots Product-Oriented Social Innovation. The tool is characterised by satisfactory psychometric properties in regard to factor validity, the internal consistency of each subscale and the stability of test scores over time.

Keywords:

• grassroots social innovations
• product-oriented social innovations
• process-oriented social innovations
• NGOs
• social issues

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the University of Lodz (research project reference no. 7066/E-345/M/2017, contract no. B1711200001683,02) and the National Science Centre, Poland (research project “Local Systems of Social Innovations in Rural Areas” reference no.: 015/19/D/HS6/00690, DEC-2015/19/D/HS6/00690, contract no. UMO-2015/19/D/HS6/00690). We are grateful for this support.

Notes

1 There are few quantitative studies on the implementation of social innovations by NGOs. An interesting exception is the research conducted as part of the Regional Social Innovation Index (RESINDEX). However, for the purpose of this project, social innovation was defined as ‘a process of interpretation, assimilation, combination and exploitation of knowledge applied to the creation of new products, processes, methods or services to meet unsatisfied social demands’ (Unceta, Castro-Spila, and Fronti 2016, 201).

2 NGOs may seek to resolve various social issues and include organisations which seek to resolve numerous problems (e.g., unemployment, domestic violence and addiction to substances), as well as those which address only one issue (e.g., drug addiction).

3 Taking into account the perspectives of people affected by social issues provides access to hidden knowledge on the subject and reduces the risk of failure of the process of implementing grassroots product-oriented social innovations connected with a lack of acceptance of the suggested solutions on the part of the beneficiaries (Davis et al. 2012, 5–6; Sanzo-Perez, Álvarez-González, and Rey-García 2015, 431). Diagnosis should be conducted on an ongoing basis, as existing systems of social practice are subject to change.

4 Public entities, such as employment offices or social welfare centres, are obliged to implement services and products geared towards resolving social issues. Such entities work on a regular basis, and they are obliged to conduct ongoing monitoring and evaluation of their operations and to increase their effectiveness. Becoming familiar with their practices in the scope of resolving social issues may help in the search for social innovations and shows the perspective of operations conducted by institutions representing a different sector (public sector).

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the University of Lodz (Uniwersytet Łódzki) [research project reference number 7066/E-345/M/2017, contract B1711200001683,02] and the National Science Centre, Poland (Narodowe Centrum Nauki) [research project “Local Systems of Social Innovations in Rural Areas” reference numbers: 015/19/D/HS6/00690, DEC-2015/19/D/HS6/00690, contract number UMO-2015/19/D/HS6/00690].