Applied Social Scientific Methods for the Measurement of Local Innovation Potential
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'Club of Economics in Miskolc' TMP Vol.15., Nr. 2., pp. 77-88. 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.18096/TMP.2019.02.08 Applied Social Scientific Methods for the Measurement of Local Innovation Potential SZABÓ-TÓTH KINGA, Ph.D. PAPP Z. ATTILA, Ph.D. HABIL ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR UNIVERSITY OF MISKOLC UNIVERSITY OF MISKOLC MTA TK CENTRE FOR SOCIAL SCIENCES e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] SUMMARY The study introduces a methodological tool for measuring local social innovation potential and its application in five settlements in the Abaúj 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. Keywords: social innovation, social innovation potential, spatial segregation, regional development, applied social research Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) codes: D63, O35 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18096/TMP.2019.02.08 INTRODUCTION potential (LIP) index we present in this study, we drew upon existing theories and models of social innovation. The complexity of the LIP index comes from the fact that In the North Hungarian region both social and regional it builds upon both qualitative and quantitative data and disadvantages are more concentrated than the Hungarian research methods. Therefore it is simultaneously based on average. These disadvantages and their regional and social social scientific methods that are traditionally considered inequalities offer a real challenge for the researchers of “soft” and “hard”. social sciences. The results of scientific research on As a starting point we focused on the fact that regional and social processes show that disadvantages can settlements and communities can be multifaceted, only be lessened by innovation, especially by encouraging meaning that the LIP index should also be. The LIP index and spreading social innovation. Compared to is fitting to take local specificities, local characteristics into technological innovations, social innovations concentrate account and by doing so it is able to take for presenting a on the rejuvenation of human potential. They are not fine-tuned description of the current situation and created in scientific labs but in everyday workshops. characteristics of a settlement, together with its future Theories are drawn for practical experiences and the potential and directions in development. emergence of social innovation typically arises out of widespread social consensus. In the 21st century the ever- renewing social sciences, and especially sociology, are THE SOCIOLOGICAL MODEL OF facing a challenge: social innovation cannot be developed SOCIAL INNOVATION without them. The study gives a short summary of the notion of social In the history of sociology – besides other approaches innovation. It is followed by the introduction of our – the notion of surveying, describing and reforming and methodological tool for measuring local social innovation influencing social processes has always been present. The potential and its application in five settlements in the founding father of sociology, Auguste Comte, concluded Abaúj region. When working on the local innovation that the duty of social sciences is to provide accurate data, 77 Szabó-Tóth Kinga – Papp Z. Attila to facilitate change and to act as a form of mediator for participation and for the joint effort of different sectors between social activism and science (Comte 1979). The (state, nonprofit and religious) in finding the novelty factor evolutionist Herbert Spencer point of view was that of innovation. sociology can even change evolution (as he described Social innovation tends to work toward changing the social development in the terms of biological evolution) status quo. In order to do so an innovative and problem- for the better (Spencer 1898). solving turn of mind is a must. There are different ways The first social scientific descriptions of the notion of and forms for an innovative initiative or product to come innovation come from Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. to life, but the process cannot skip any of the following Durkheim argued that in order to maintain a healthy steps: mapping problems and their causes, critical society, social changes should come slowly. Rapid examination of already existing solutions and points of changes result in anomie. In the 1900s Durkheim focused view, finding the domain of intervention, initiating on theories of innovation, but – as Némedi points out – he innovation and, by the end, evaluation. Social innovation failed to give a systematic description of it on the may have many forms: strategies, concepts, ideas, know- individual and social level (Némedi 2010). Weber worked how, organizational changes, co-operation or projects. on the relationship between the rise of capitalism and the The model in Figure 1 illustrates the complexity of Protestant ethic. Therefore, his works can be considered as innovations. In terms of its modes of appearance, forerunners of thinking of economic innovations (Weber innovation can be a new technology, product or service or, 1982). in institutional form, a new brand. In terms of financing, The history of sociology shows that the discipline has innovation can be financed by the community, by always sought to survey, describe and change or influence volunteer work or by individual and civil sources. It has social processes, or even required its followers to do so. four scopes and its impacts and aims are complex. Practical application and applied sociology have always The steps of generating social innovations (figure 2) been present. We believe that if sociology wishes to follow the steps of social science research. preserve its place and role among the sciences it must work There are several models to measure the innovation toward constant renewal and innovations. This demand potential of settlements. These models regard the essence reflects the social-economic challenge of regular of innovation in different components (or dimensions) and innovations. The classic notion of innovation in the field the applied indicators vary significantly as well. One of the of economics has been identified by Schumpeter (1934). most complex models was developed in 2016 by the According to his view there are five types of innovation: Economist Intelligence Unit (2016). They compared (1) introduction of a new product or new product quality; different countries based on their innovation capacity. (2) introduction of a new method of production; (3) Items used to measure the capacity of innovation included opening up of a new market; (4) conquest of a new source both qualitative and quantitative data on the political and of raw materials or other inputs ; and (5) the creation and institutional environment, financing, entrepreneurships application of a new organizational structure in an and society. Castro Spila et al. (2016) suggest measuring industrial sector. social innovation by determining the regional vulnerability Besides economic innovations social innovations have rate in social, economic, institutional and environmental come into focus – especially in the last decade, when terms. This model has not been tested in research yet. balancing regional-social disadvantages became an Others (i.e. Pénzes 2014; Szendi 2018) use only statistical important social and economic challenge. There are data available through national surveys to measure social several social scientific definitions of innovation (Szendi and economic innovations (like number of 2018). They agree on emphasizing the novelty factor and entrepreneurships/100 persons, net income/person; the rate also on the correlation between innovation, well-being and of the population with higher education degrees, etc.). the quality of life (Howaldt et al. 2014; G. Fekete 2001; Kocziszky & Szendi 2018; Nemes & Varga 2015). The definitions also point out the need for communal solutions, 78 Applied Social Scientific Methods for the Measurement of Local Innovation Potential financial sources/ players/generators: feasibility: • individuals/families • communal finance • local government, state • voluntary work • research groups modes of • private/family financing • civil organizations impacts: appearance: • state, local governmental • religious organizations • transmission of cultural • know -how, process, • church traditions technology • civil organizations • social integration • new kinds of • EU • community cooperation development • product, service, • stronger local identity institution, organization • stronger ties between • marketing, brand, generations image • improvement of the quality of life aims: • shaping attitude scopes: • changing the status quo • economic • shaping identity • cultural • deliver and conserve • welfare value innovation • social • deliver know-how • provide novel, effective solutions Source: The authors Figure 1. The complex model of innovation Generating social innovation •Identification •Connection