Social Innovation: Definitions, Metrics, Topics, Impact Agents and Approaches Metrics, Concept, Key Themes, Agents and Approaches.

Abstract

This article analyses the trends in Social Innovation research published in the Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) of the Web of Science. It identifies its metrics, definitions, characteristics, agents and approaches, carrying out a bibliometric research with the software "Bibliometrix", as well as a bibliographic review of the 50 most cited articles. It is concluded that there is a multitude of definitions of social innovation with the common denominator being the implementation of new ideas and collaborative forms of relationship between different socio-economic agents to tackle complex social problems. Public entities are present in a significant number of articles, with concepts such as governance and co-creation emerging. However, a significant part of this research is addressed under a micro approach, which is considered necessary to increase the social impact and the transition to higher levels, meso and macro, which accommodate a greater number of agents, among which private entities stand out.