Applied Social Scientific Methods for the Measurement of Local Innovation Potential

The study introduces a methodological tool for measuring local social innovation potential and its application in five settlements in the Abauj region of northeastern Hungary. When working on the local innovation potential (LIP) index we present in this study, we drew upon existing theories and models of social innovation. The complexity of LIP index comes from the fact that it builds upon both qualitative and quantitative data and research methods. Therefore it is simultaneously based on social scientific methods that are traditionally considered “soft” and “hard”. The LIP index is can take into account local specificities and characteristics into account and is thus suitable for presenting a fine-tuned description of the current situation and characteristics of a settlement, together with its future potential and directions for development.