Contribution to social innovation theory and practice: lessons from a portuguese Association

Abstract

This study aims to analyze how the actions of a nonprofit association from Portugal impacted on the development and promotion of social innovations. The literature review discusses origins, concepts and processes of this type of innovation, and includes the criteria for evaluation of its results. The analyses were based on the triangulation of semi-structured interviews, direct observation and documentary data research. Results show that, despite not being the focus of the association, actions towards the community quality of life enabled the development of processes and products regarded as social innovations. The main obstacles were financial dependence on the state and local subsidies, ingrained habits and customs of local population, and low levels of active participation of those involved in proposing innovative ideas. However, the association succeeded by relying on the creativity, inspiration, engagement and support from its main leaders, and on the alignment and support of its human resources in the implementation of the strategy.