This paper introduces a new theory surrounding the process of social innovation using historical case studies. Using the particular example of the lifecycle of the intelligence test over the first half of the twentieth century in the United States, we discuss the hypothesis that the discovery/definition of new social phenomena (naturalistic, constructed, and technological expressions of what we can, ought or will do, that direct or influence behaviour) and combination of new and extant phenomena provide the necessary intellectual space and impetus – through glimpses of what could be, seen through the lens of new social phenomena – for the creation of clusters of inventions and innovations. One or more of these innovations, when scaled up or out, can ultimately shift an entire system. This process requires the work of multiple actors, occupying three general roles, the poet, the designer and the debater. Historical data suggests these agents act on both the niche and landscape level, and can travel effectively between them, spotting approaching windows of opportunity to create pathways to their desired adjacent possible, while incubating new social innovations. These observations are based on a comparison of a growing body of historical cases of social innovations. [Authors’ abstract].
McGowan, Katherine and Westley, Frances (2013) At the root of change : the history of social innovation (Paper presented at the international conference Social Frontiers : The next edge of social innovation research, at GCU's London Campus on 14th and 15th November 2013).
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