Profiling Existing Research on Social Innovation in the Public Sector

Abstract

This study explores the progress of social innovation research in a public sector context by systematically analyzing its existing body of knowledge to identify areas of societal impact and reveal areas of limitations and potential further research. The findings revealed that most of the studies on social innovation in the public sector are conceptual in nature. The article presents propositions based on the diagnosed limitations of research in the area.

Keywords:

• social innovation
• innovation
• literature review
• public sector
• profiling

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nripendra P. Rana

Nripendra P. Rana is a lecturer at the School of Management at Swansea University in the United Kingdom. He holds a BSc in mathematics (Hons.), an MCA, an MTech, and an MPhil from Indian Universities. He also holds an MBA with distinction and a PhD from Swansea University. His current research interest is in the area of technology and e-Government adoption and diffusion. He has published his work in some refereed journals including ISF, ESJ, IJBIS, IJICBM, IJEGR, and TGPPP. He has varied work experience of teaching in the area of computer science at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Vishanth Weerakkody

Vishanth Weerakkody is a professor of digital governance at Brunel Business School, United Kingdom, and the editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Electronic Government Research. His current research is focused on social innovation, ICT adoption and diffusion, digital inclusion, process transformation, change, innovation, and knowledge management in the public sector. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, guest-edited special issues of leading journals and edited several books on these themes. He has many years of R&D experience in the field of e-government and is currently an investigator in several European Commission and internationally funded projects.

Yogesh K. Dwivedi

Yogesh K. Dwivedi is a professor of digital and social media in the School of Management at Swansea University, Wales, United Kingdom. He obtained his PhD and MSc in information systems from Brunel University, United Kingdom. He has co-authored several articles which have appeared in international refereed journals such as CACM, EJIS, ISJ, ISF, JIT, JORS, and IMDS. He is associate editor of European Journal of Information Systems, assistant editor of JEIM and TGPPP, senior editor of JECR, and member of the editorial board/review board of several journals. He is an annual member of the AIS and life member of the IFIP WG8.6 and 8.5.

Niall C. Piercy

Niall C. Piercy is currently deputy dean—operations and head of the operations management & entrepreneurship department at the School of Management, Swansea University. Professor Piercy was previously senior-lecturer and director of studiesx at the University of Bath School of Management. Professor Piercy’s work is focused on the marketing and operations management challenges that face entrepreneurs, both in terms of the classic self-employed entrepreneur and also the organizational-entrepreneur. This latter group may operate within a large corporate structure, but share many characteristics with the classic entrepreneur. Extending understanding of how to engage and support organizational entrepreneurs has been the focus of his latest research.