Paving the way to measurement – a blueprint for social innovation metrics : a short guide to the research for policy makers

The issue of social innovation measurement has become a significant priority for European states and for the Union as a whole. Measurement efforts on the macro level are complemented by an intensified discussion about social innovations on the organisational (micro) level and their impact. Combined micro and macro level views are reflected in the field of technological innovation measurement, where innovation is investigated both at the level of individual firms as well as the much more complex aggregated national level. Due to its more encompassing scope and its inherent relevance to policymaking, the authors’ have focused on the macro level in developing this document. It aims to blueprint measuring social innovations as responses to existing social needs and simultaneously stresses the creation of social value in contributing to societal ‘well-being’. This is done with a focus on innovation -enabling conditions and therefore on social innovation potential . To policymakers this is particularly relevant, as they are key actors in creating such favourable conditions for the emergence, realization and scaling of social innovations . The proposed Blueprint contributes to the knowledge they need to have in mainly four ways:  

• Provision of rationales for action (EU, national & regional level) As a macro-level approach that can be adopted in scope the Blueprint covers all areas of policymaking.  
• Operationalization of Social Innovations : The measurement tool assists in translating the theoretical and largely abstract concept of social innovation into facts and figures.  
• Complement organizational impact measurement: Complementing existing organizational measurement, the macro -level approach will add to more comprehensive perspectives.  
• Increase of political legitimacy : Evidence-based policies have an indirect effect on the legitimacy of social innovation activities both on target group and societal levels.  

[Extracted from Executive Summary].

Citation

Schmitz, Björn; Krlev, Gorgi; Mildenberger, Georg; Bund, Eva and Hubrich, David (2013) Paving the way to measurement – a blueprint for social innovation metrics : a short guide to the research for policy makers. A deliverable of the project: “The theoretical, empirical and policy foundations for building social innovation in Europe” (TEPSIE), European Commission – 7th Framework Programme, Brussels: European Commission, DG Research.