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This study explored how social housing communities can contribute to the transition to a circular economy (CE) in cities. The CE promotes ways for rethinking and reshaping current practices of producing and consuming to enhance resource efficiency while satisfying our needs to enable us to prosper sustainably. Resource efficiency in cities relies on production and consumption patterns that are connected to people behaviours. Up to now, the CE has mainly concentrated on different levels of technological system innovations with limited attention to social practices and behavioural change. On the other side, communities and groups of interest show playing a crucial role in the promotion of sustainable practices through initiatives of social innovation (SI). Through case study analysis and comparison, the project investigated contemporary SI initiatives implemented by urban communities and groups of interest aiming at promoting alternative production-consumption practices. Seven types of SI for resource circularity have been identified. Based on this typology, the study defined potential opportunities, benefits and challenges for social housing communities. These findings also highlighted a complementary role that SI can play in the CE implementation in cities. Therefore, the project suggested the introduction of emerging SI concepts into the current CE approach to support development.

• Use Evolutionary Game to clarify the applicability of various resource allocations. • Expose the different key factors affecting the roles of resource allocations. • Breadth resource allocations have advantage when alliance environment is ambiguous. • Targeted resource allocations enhance the benefits if commercial prospects are clear. A lack of understanding regarding the roles and applicability of different resource allocations has become the underlying reason for the failure of resource efforts. Therefore, it is of important practical significance to examine the effects of different resource allocations and their impacts on the development of strategic alliances. Based on the development intentions of technological innovation cooperation and social capital accumulation, our study distinguished four patterns of resource allocation and viewed them as dynamic processes instead of unchanging decision results, using simulation from evolutionary game theory to explore the roles and applicability of various resource allocations by exposing their stability under different constraint situations. Our results indicate that, first, the randomly-oriented resource allocation has the highest probability of being unstable, while the knowledge-embedded resource allocation has the lowest probability. Second, randomly-oriented resource allocation can lead an alliance to become a pure technology or social alliance; relationship-oriented resource allocation is sensitive to opportunistic behavior, but more favorable to innovation diffusion; cooperation-oriented resource allocation is mainly affected by resource cost, and more suitable for firms with strong innovation intentions; and knowledge-embedded resource allocation is conducive to reducing the uncertainty and enhancing the configuration success rates. Third, the breadth of the resource allocation increases the probability of successfully configuring resources, and the strategic decision to switch from broad resource allocation to a targeted one may increase the extraneous benefits of firms when the development prospects are clear.

• Use Evolutionary Game to clarify the applicability of various resource allocations. • Expose the different key factors affecting the roles of resource allocations. • Breadth resource allocations have advantage when alliance environment is ambiguous. • Targeted resource allocations enhance the benefits if commercial prospects are clear. A lack of understanding regarding the roles and applicability of different resource allocations has become the underlying reason for the failure of resource efforts. Therefore, it is of important practical significance to examine the effects of different resource allocations and their impacts on the development of strategic alliances. Based on the development intentions of technological innovation cooperation and social capital accumulation, our study distinguished four patterns of resource allocation and viewed them as dynamic processes instead of unchanging decision results, using simulation from evolutionary game theory to explore the roles and applicability of various resource allocations by exposing their stability under different constraint situations. Our results indicate that, first, the randomly-oriented resource allocation has the highest probability of being unstable, while the knowledge-embedded resource allocation has the lowest probability. Second, randomly-oriented resource allocation can lead an alliance to become a pure technology or social alliance; relationship-oriented resource allocation is sensitive to opportunistic behavior, but more favorable to innovation diffusion; cooperation-oriented resource allocation is mainly affected by resource cost, and more suitable for firms with strong innovation intentions; and knowledge-embedded resource allocation is conducive to reducing the uncertainty and enhancing the configuration success rates. Third, the breadth of the resource allocation increases the probability of successfully configuring resources, and the strategic decision to switch from broad resource allocation to a targeted one may increase the extraneous benefits of firms when the development prospects are clear.

The aim of this paper is to study the influence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) over small and medium‐sized enterprise (SME) innovation and the effect of two mediating variables, debt terms and human capital. Based on a sample of 2825 Spanish SMEs and applying a structural equations modeling, the results demonstrate that the effect of CSR on innovation is mediated by debt terms and by good human resource practices. Part of the positive effect of CSR on innovation occurs through these two variables, which, alone, positively and significantly affect innovation in SMEs. Consequently, the positive effect of CSR practices on debt terms through a decrease in asymmetric information goes further, also having repercussions on innovation. Additionally, the suitable development of human resource practices based on strategies oriented toward CSR allow companies to carry out greater and more efficient innovative activities. This paper contributes to the CSR literature considering the human resource management and the debt access in the relationship between CSR and innovation. The findings reveal important implications for policy makers and managers. For the former, the results show that it would be interesting to carry out actions aimed at assisting SMEs, especially those with fewer resources available, to implement a suitable CSR strategy, supporting sustainable development in SMEs. And, for the latter, CSR‐oriented innovation has proven to be a valuable strategy for more efficient SMEs management because of the multiple competitive advantages it generates.

The aim of this paper is to study the influence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) over small and medium‐sized enterprise (SME) innovation and the effect of two mediating variables, debt terms and human capital. Based on a sample of 2825 Spanish SMEs and applying a structural equations modeling, the results demonstrate that the effect of CSR on innovation is mediated by debt terms and by good human resource practices. Part of the positive effect of CSR on innovation occurs through these two variables, which, alone, positively and significantly affect innovation in SMEs. Consequently, the positive effect of CSR practices on debt terms through a decrease in asymmetric information goes further, also having repercussions on innovation. Additionally, the suitable development of human resource practices based on strategies oriented toward CSR allow companies to carry out greater and more efficient innovative activities. This paper contributes to the CSR literature considering the human resource management and the debt access in the relationship between CSR and innovation. The findings reveal important implications for policy makers and managers. For the former, the results show that it would be interesting to carry out actions aimed at assisting SMEs, especially those with fewer resources available, to implement a suitable CSR strategy, supporting sustainable development in SMEs. And, for the latter, CSR‐oriented innovation has proven to be a valuable strategy for more efficient SMEs management because of the multiple competitive advantages it generates.

This case examines the major challenges faced by Productions Jeun’Est (PJE) and Prodigium, a social enterprise working in the cultural sector. The profits generated by Prodigium’s activities in the entertainment field are invested in the PJE training program that aims to increase the social inclusion of vulnerable youth by training them to be technicians in the cultural market. By studying this case, students are expected to understand the elements of a social business model, to analyze the role of the different elements forming a social innovation and to evaluate the challenges of planning its transfer to another context.

Social innovation has been increasingly regarded as an instrument through which transformative structural change, necessary to address grand societal challenges can be achieved. Social innovations are encouraged by the emergence of innovation systems that support changes not exclusively driven by a techno-economic rationality. In the context of this special issue, there has been both little understanding of social innovation systems within mainstream innovation ecosystem approaches and little analysis of the roles played by universities in social innovation systems. We here focus on the institutional complexity of universities and their field-level dynamics as serving as a potential break on the institutionalisation of social innovation. To deepen our understanding of this, we utilise a literature around institutional logics to foreground characteristics of organisational fields with regard to social innovation. Drawing on empirical data gathered in two public universities located in different countries, we show that in one case the potential of social innovation is undermined by two dominant institutional logics, in the other its permeation across the organisational field is seriously challenged by a more powerful dominant logic. The institutional logic approach is useful to highlighting the barriers to building productive innovation ecosystems incorporating social considerations, and helps to explain the persistent difficulties in reframing ecosystems approaches to reflect wider societal dynamics.

Nous présentons dans cet article les résultats d’une enquête sur les politiques publiques de régulation de l’intelligence artificielle et en particulier sur les stratégies mises en œuvre dans des cadres socio-politiques aux échelles nationales, européennes et internationales. La France a créé des instances dans lesquels des « frottements » entre acteurs différents sont possibles, comme les groupes d’experts ou le Partenariat Mondial sur l’Intelligence Artificielle. Nous considérons que le travail de la part de l’ensemble des groupes sociaux, impliqués dans les instances que nous observons, est consubstantiel à la régulation. Les acteurs publics et privés s’organisent pour échanger et interagir de façon structurée, notamment par la mise en place de ces instances, comme le PMIA. Les dispositifs et instruments, auxquels les différents acteurs participent, contribuent à conférer un sens aux activités de régulation. Notre hypothèse repose sur l’émergence d’un « modèle français » de la régulation qui tend à promouvoir la « confiance » et dont le sens est de parvenir à l’acceptabilité sociale de l’IA.

Nous présentons dans cet article les résultats d’une enquête sur les politiques publiques de régulation de l’intelligence artificielle et en particulier sur les stratégies mises en œuvre dans des cadres socio-politiques aux échelles nationales, européennes et internationales. La France a créé des instances dans lesquels des « frottements » entre acteurs différents sont possibles, comme les groupes d’experts ou le Partenariat Mondial sur l’Intelligence Artificielle. Nous considérons que le travail de la part de l’ensemble des groupes sociaux, impliqués dans les instances que nous observons, est consubstantiel à la régulation. Les acteurs publics et privés s’organisent pour échanger et interagir de façon structurée, notamment par la mise en place de ces instances, comme le PMIA. Les dispositifs et instruments, auxquels les différents acteurs participent, contribuent à conférer un sens aux activités de régulation. Notre hypothèse repose sur l’émergence d’un « modèle français » de la régulation qui tend à promouvoir la « confiance » et dont le sens est de parvenir à l’acceptabilité sociale de l’IA.

Cet article rend compte de la manière dont les organisations internationales pourraient s’approprier la démarche délibérative à l’occasion de leurs efforts de régulation éthique de l’IA en présentant le projet de la délibération internationale intitulée « Dialogue inclusif sur l’éthique de l’intelligence artificielle (IA) » (ODAI) menée par Algora Lab - Université de Montréal et Mila - Institut québécois d’intelligence artificielle. Ce projet délibératif portait sur le premier instrument normatif mondial en éthique de l’IA rédigé par l’UNESCO. L’ODAI se démarque par sa portée internationale, le nombre de personnes consultées et sa réalisation en ligne. Après une présentation du cadre méthodologique et théorique de la délibération sur l’éthique de l’IA, nous opérons une analyse critique du processus et nous proposerons finalement des recommandations pratiques pour de futures délibérations en éthique de l’IA.

Cette recherche vise à comprendre le processus de coproduction d’innovations sociales dans le contexte des plateformes numériques. À travers l’étude de la plateforme "Solidarité Covid-19 Francophonie", nous analysons comment l’intelligence artificielle facilite la collaboration entre des acteurs de cultures différentes et/ou développant des projets dans des domaines variés. Les résultats de l’étude ethnographique, complétée par une analyse quantitative, révèlent le développement des pratiques collaboratives grâce aux différents types de connecteurs, humains ou non-humains, qui organisent les échanges et facilitent la circulation de ressources affectives et cognitives. De manière paradoxale, l’analyse montre la difficulté de la plateforme à inclure certains publics.

Cette recherche vise à comprendre le processus de coproduction d’innovations sociales dans le contexte des plateformes numériques. À travers l’étude de la plateforme "Solidarité Covid-19 Francophonie", nous analysons comment l’intelligence artificielle facilite la collaboration entre des acteurs de cultures différentes et/ou développant des projets dans des domaines variés. Les résultats de l’étude ethnographique, complétée par une analyse quantitative, révèlent le développement des pratiques collaboratives grâce aux différents types de connecteurs, humains ou non-humains, qui organisent les échanges et facilitent la circulation de ressources affectives et cognitives. De manière paradoxale, l’analyse montre la difficulté de la plateforme à inclure certains publics.

In the last two decades, social innovation (SI) and social entrepreneurship (SE) have gained relevance and interest within the framework of academia at international level. Higher education institutions (HEIs) are key players in promoting innovation and social entrepreneurship initiatives that respond to multifaceted challenges. They support strategies on the basis of the strengthening of participation, collaboration, and cooperation with society and its local communities. However, the approach of Latin American universities to SI and SE has been very uneven in the way they have understood them, integrated them into academic programmes, and transferred knowledge to society. On the basis of the experience of the Students4Change project, we sought to understand the role of Latin American HEIs in promoting social innovations by analysing the experiences of 10 participating universities to formalise a pedagogical programme on SI and SE in their institutions. The results suggest that there is still a need to formalise an academic syllabus that is specifically designed to promote social innovations and to train universities in this endeavour. This paper contributes to the identification of the main levers of change, strengths, and challenges that Latin American universities face to institutionalise SI and SE in their contexts.

In the last two decades, social innovation (SI) and social entrepreneurship (SE) have gained relevance and interest within the framework of academia at international level. Higher education institutions (HEIs) are key players in promoting innovation and social entrepreneurship initiatives that respond to multifaceted challenges. They support strategies on the basis of the strengthening of participation, collaboration, and cooperation with society and its local communities. However, the approach of Latin American universities to SI and SE has been very uneven in the way they have understood them, integrated them into academic programmes, and transferred knowledge to society. On the basis of the experience of the Students4Change project, we sought to understand the role of Latin American HEIs in promoting social innovations by analysing the experiences of 10 participating universities to formalise a pedagogical programme on SI and SE in their institutions. The results suggest that there is still a need to formalise an academic syllabus that is specifically designed to promote social innovations and to train universities in this endeavour. This paper contributes to the identification of the main levers of change, strengths, and challenges that Latin American universities face to institutionalise SI and SE in their contexts.

Whereas the economic impact of universities is undisputed, the social impact of universities remains vague. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether and how universities influence firms’ social engagement. Based on survey data of more than 7,000 German firms, our results reveal that universities positively affect firms’ social engagement mainly through teaching activities. Hence, our findings give impetus to a reinforcement of the university mission ‘teaching’ as a central lever for social change and increased social awareness as well as to a reorientation of the third university mission toward social needs. This paper thereby contributes to our understanding of the changing missions and values of universities and adds to the literature by exploring the underlying mechanisms of the social impact of universities. We conclude the paper with fruitful future avenues of research.

Whereas the economic impact of universities is undisputed, the social impact of universities remains vague. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether and how universities influence firms’ social engagement. Based on survey data of more than 7,000 German firms, our results reveal that universities positively affect firms’ social engagement mainly through teaching activities. Hence, our findings give impetus to a reinforcement of the university mission ‘teaching’ as a central lever for social change and increased social awareness as well as to a reorientation of the third university mission toward social needs. This paper thereby contributes to our understanding of the changing missions and values of universities and adds to the literature by exploring the underlying mechanisms of the social impact of universities. We conclude the paper with fruitful future avenues of research.

L’Union européenne comme les pouvoirs publics français peinent à trouver des solutions aux crises agricoles. Le secteur laitier n’échappe pas à la règle. En 2016, quelque 7000 consommateurs français ont activement participé à la coconstruction d’une filière laitière guidée par un objectif social : améliorer les conditions de vie des producteurs. L’innovation repose ainsi sur une nouvelle méthode de fixation du prix de vente du lait conditionné. Nous montrerons par cet exemple ainsi que par d’autres exemples en France que ce type de coconstruction constitue une innovation sociale inversée. Cette dernière tire parti d’un demi-siècle d’apprentissage fondé sur l’institutionnalisation du « caractère équitable » d’un bien, lequel est au coeur du commerce équitable Nord-Sud. Le label « équitable » n’est donc plus réservé aux seuls pays en développement. Nous analyserons également la portée des technologies numériques (TN) qui réduisent la « distance sociale » entre producteurs, implantés au Sud ou au Nord, et consommateurs. Ainsi, les consommateurs peuvent arbitrer à travers les TN, et ce, dans plusieurs filières.

L’Union européenne comme les pouvoirs publics français peinent à trouver des solutions aux crises agricoles. Le secteur laitier n’échappe pas à la règle. En 2016, quelque 7000 consommateurs français ont activement participé à la coconstruction d’une filière laitière guidée par un objectif social : améliorer les conditions de vie des producteurs. L’innovation repose ainsi sur une nouvelle méthode de fixation du prix de vente du lait conditionné. Nous montrerons par cet exemple ainsi que par d’autres exemples en France que ce type de coconstruction constitue une innovation sociale inversée. Cette dernière tire parti d’un demi-siècle d’apprentissage fondé sur l’institutionnalisation du « caractère équitable » d’un bien, lequel est au coeur du commerce équitable Nord-Sud. Le label « équitable » n’est donc plus réservé aux seuls pays en développement. Nous analyserons également la portée des technologies numériques (TN) qui réduisent la « distance sociale » entre producteurs, implantés au Sud ou au Nord, et consommateurs. Ainsi, les consommateurs peuvent arbitrer à travers les TN, et ce, dans plusieurs filières.

The importance of university social responsibility (USR) is given by the commitment assumed by the university towards its stakeholders. This study aims at providing new insights on this topic, by analyzing the level of performance in USR that universities communicate. To this end, a structured procedure in five phases is proposed, analyzing elements of the strategic direction and considering the use of USR indicators which are grouped in the four main areas of impact (organizational, educational, cognitive and social). To do this, a qualitative approach has been followed, supported by the use of text analysis software as well as by frequency and spider diagrams. To illustrate its use and the type of analysis it allows, the procedure is applied to the case of the Catalan higher education system, presenting the results at different levels. The study ends with the discussion of the implications, a list of recommendations and suggestion for future works.

The importance of university social responsibility (USR) is given by the commitment assumed by the university towards its stakeholders. This study aims at providing new insights on this topic, by analyzing the level of performance in USR that universities communicate. To this end, a structured procedure in five phases is proposed, analyzing elements of the strategic direction and considering the use of USR indicators which are grouped in the four main areas of impact (organizational, educational, cognitive and social). To do this, a qualitative approach has been followed, supported by the use of text analysis software as well as by frequency and spider diagrams. To illustrate its use and the type of analysis it allows, the procedure is applied to the case of the Catalan higher education system, presenting the results at different levels. The study ends with the discussion of the implications, a list of recommendations and suggestion for future works.