MOØ232 Public innovation

Contents and structure

Social entrepreneurship is about developing, organizing and scaling innovative solutions to societal problems, and involves linking corporate methods with social purposes. Social enterprises are often referred to as hybrid organizations operating with double or triple bottom lines, and they operate in between, and I collaboration with actors from, private, voluntary (ideal) and the public sector combining values and norms of action from different sectors of society. As a relatively new field, social entrepreneurship in Norway appears as a diverse organizational landscape aimed at various social purposes such as climate, food and nutrition, poverty, inclusion of children and youth, work inclusion, mental health and drug related social work, elderly care and integration of minorities. The course examines the value creation and social impact social entrepreneurs and social enterprises bring to society.

In some contexts social entrepreneurship is referred to as "the laboratory of the welfare state" and, thus, is an entrance to studying innovation in the public sector. It can address both innovation governance and management, policy innovation, the use of new technology, innovation in service development, coproduction and user driven innovation. Increased collaboration between private and public actors in innovation processes also raises new business trends related to corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainable development, sharing economy, responsible innovation and management, social investment, HR strategy, reputation and marketing.

The course will include the latest theoretical development within the field of social entrepreneurship and take turns in various disciplines within economics and social sciences, in addition to critical perspectives. The course will also emphasize organization theory and elucidate how organizational form has significance for the business development and forms of collaboration.

Learning Outcome

On completion of the course the student should be able to:

• have knowledge of the emergence of social entrepreneurship in Norway and internationally
• understand how social entrepreneurship develop in path dependency of type of business culture, welfare model and traditions for social responsibility and voluntary work
• understand the relevance of organizational forms, models for business development and management
• understand the relevance of corporate social responsibility (CSR), social investment and new forms of philanthropy 
• have knowledge of key theories related to social entrepreneurship

• can carry out data collection for use in analyzes of social entrepreneurship and innovation in the public sector
• can identify drivers for innovation between the public, private and voluntary sector and characterize the type of innovation
• can collect international experience and knowledge relevant to Norwegian context
• can make critical assessments and identify professional, political and ethical challenges

• can participate in analysis and advice in innovation processes
• can communicate central theories, issues and solutions about social entrepreneurship and innovation in public sector both in writing, orally and through other relevant forms of expression
• can communicate knowledge about facilitating innovation and potential challenges
• can collect international experience and knowledge relevant to the Norwegian context

Entry requirements

Admission requirements for the master programme. The course is interdisciplinary and may be relevant for students with a professional background in economy and social sciences. The course is also particularly relevant for students with organizational experience in social innovation and social entrepreneurship.

Teaching methods

The most important work method is participation in organized seminars with self study and student presentations. This will be complemented by traditional lectures and project assignments. The course will include guest lectures that will give both a practice related perspective and a research based perspective. The course may also include visits to local organizations, private and public organizations working with social innovation and entrepreneurship.

The course will be taught in Norwegian or English. Submissions and exams may be delivered in Norwegian or English. The teaching form of the course may be changed in case of few registered participants.

Compulsory learning activities

Oral presentation and discussion in class. 

Course requirements are valid in the examination semester and 3 following semesters.

Assessment

Written assignment (term paper), (100% of the final assessment).

Grading scale is A-F where F is fail.

Examination support material

None

More about examination support material