Delineating the concept of corporate social innovation: toward a multidimensional model

Abstract

Business organisations are facing increasing pressure over their role in society. Social innovation is a relatively new concept used to define efforts to develop novel and innovative solutions to social challenges. The aim of this study is to conceptualise a novel form of social innovation, namely, 'corporate social innovation', by focusing on social innovation efforts initiated by private sector organisations. This study also aims to provide insight into: 1) the definition of corporate social innovation; 2) the key dimensions underlying the social innovation capability of business organisations. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 experts who play an active role in various social innovation projects in their respective organisations and/or adopt social innovation as an academic field of interest. The interview results extend our conceptual understanding of the corporate social innovation phenomenon by providing a comprehensive definition of the concept and describing a six-factor model of corporate social innovation capability.