Mapping

Conceptualisation of the SI-DRIVE database

The SI-DRIVE database will serve as the main source for empirical work of SI-DRIVE. The databse will comprise 1000+ social innovation cases that will be gathered by the SI-DRIVE partners. In advance of creating the database, a screening of already available databases, platforms and awards on social innovation took place. The screening aimed at the identification, selection and initial analysis of well-documented socially innovative projects/initiatives in the world and in particular in Europe.
In the project a case is described by the five key dimensions of SI-DRIVE that were developed by the theoretical framework. These are addressed societal needs and challenges; concepts and understanding; actors, networks and governance; process dynamics and resources; capabilities and constraints. Moreover, a case is a project/initiative and – if existing – its corresponding practice field. We differentiate between ‘projects’ and ‘practice fields’ since this approach enables for getting a deeper insight into upcoming trends and ‘booming’ areas for solving social demands and societal challenges. This approach further allows collecting projects and related practices in the defined policy areas of SI-DRIVE.

The database will be structured according to the five key dimensions mentioned above. Overall, the database will consist of several subdivisions with the help of which major SI-DRIVE research questions will be answered.

In addition, the database will allow future research and analysis of social innovation cases alongside the five key dimensions. The data gathered in the database can be analysed, for instance, according to:

  • the different information sources, i.e. ‘information providers’ such as social innovators (practitioners), the public, funding institutions, etc.;
  • the geographical scope of the practice fields, the projects and the project partners of the cases;
  • the addressed social demands and societal challenges in the different world regions;
  • the innovative solutions provided by social innovation cases;
  • the process dynamics that occur by implementing social innovations in the different world regions;
  • the outcomes of the social innovations and their contributions to change;
  • the governance structures implemented;
  • the drivers, barriers and strategies; and
  • the organisational capacity and resources required in implementing social innovations.