The Growth of Social Innovation Research in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)

Anh Phuong Bui Le*, Hang Le, Richard Hazenberg

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: This research seeks to explore the development of "social innovation (SI)" research within Higher Education Institutions context (HEIs)

Design/methodology/approach: The paper explores academic databases (Web of Science/Scopus/Sage), to identify relevant papers focused on SI. Using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) with narrative-assessment approach, the ‘VOSviewer’ tool is employed to analyze relationships between themes/subthemes related to SI in HEIs. Additionally, Excel’s polynomial-trendline feature is used to track publication numbers over time.

Findings: The research identified five themes related to HEIs and SI trends, each exposing important aspects of higher education and SI, including "Sustainable Development; Social Entrepreneurship; Digital Transformation; Research; and Innovation Culture." The research also identifies best practices of global universities and their SI programmes across 19 topics, including changes in publication volume since 1996.

Practical implications: The SLR reveals research gaps related to HEIs and SI trends that require further investigation. Each of these areas gives scholars/practitioners opportunities for in-depth investigation.

Social implications: Findings encourage global HEIs to implement SI, become acquainted with the present themes and the programmes conducted by HEIs, to recognise the importance of SI trends, and to fill HE provision gaps around SI.

Originality/value: This paper contributes to knowledge on the promotion of SI in HEIs and sustainable development, whilst identifying gaps for further research.
Original languageEnglish
JournalInternational Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Jan 2025

Keywords

  • Higher Education
  • Social Innovation
  • Social Impact
  • Universities
  • Innovation Culture
  • Sustainable Development

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