Indicators of Social Innovation – IndiSI and IndiSI+

Tasks and goals

IndiSI – Indicators of Social Innovation examines new forms of innovation, in particular social innovation. Based on the TEPSIE „framework model of social innovation“ we aim at developing indicators on three different levels

1. »organisational innovativness«,
2. »regional innovativeness « and
3. »early indicators of innovativeness« referring to resonance in social media as a proxy for the potential of projects and entrepreneurial activities.

So far, the interest of international research projects on social innovation has been primarily on the analysis of actor constellations and business models as well as the exploratory investigation of contextual factors, often by means of case studies. Measurement and the development of indicators have rarely been in the foreground. We can still draw on previous research, in which the IndiSI partners had a lead role. Existing results should be incorporated in the new project and expanded.

We will extend innovation indicator systems to include new innovation actors and types, as well as test alternative measurement approaches. Thereby we will provide a new database for that is sensitive to new forms of innovation, thus providing evidence for innovation policy, research and practice (e.g., business incubation and regional development, innovators, intermediaries, charities etc.).

Approach

IndiSI is divided into two iterative stages: First we will develop indicators, test them as part of a survey and evaluate and reflect the results (stage 1). We will deepen our understanding of how to measure social innovation by means of case studies of innovative actors, which enable us to evaluate and adapt the indicators after the testing phase in order to derive specific recommendations for the establishment of a permanent social innovation measurement system (stage 2).