Ethics of social innovation
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the main reasons for social innovations to be successful in developing countries.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, four famous cases of social innovation are studied and contrasted in the following dimensions: goals, means and skills/resources needed by the user.
Findings
Exemplary social innovations do not have profit as their primary objective but emphasize social, spiritual and humanitarian goals such as minimizing suffering, empowering people and strengthening local communities.
Originality/value
The paper shows that sensitivity to local culture and an ethos for serving the common good are preconditions of successful and lasting social innovations by business.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are listed in alphabetical order. Laszlo Zsolnai’s contribution was developed under his research affiliate contract with the Canon Chair of ESC Rennes Business School. The paper draws on previous work by Ims (2013). The present paper introduces a new ethical perspective, presents the analyzed cases in fresh forms and gives new economic and ethical conclusions.
Citation
J. Ims, K. and Zsolnai, L. (2014), "Ethics of social innovation", Society and Business Review, Vol. 9 No. 2, pp. 186-194. https://doi.org/10.1108/SBR-11-2013-0076
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited