Social Innovation and Applied Research for Social Entrepreneurship. An Experience of Linking with the Environment Carried Out with Entrepreneurial Older Adults in Nueva Braunau, Los Lagos Region

Authors: Ana Maria CJ*

DOI: 10.23880/aeoaj-16000160

Volume 5, Issue 1

Abstract

Social innovation has emerged as a new way of thinking and acting, which challenges existing paradigms and arouses the interest of broad sectors of society. Social innovation makes it possible to propose novel solutions to controversial social problems, more effective, efficient, and sustainable alternatives to existing or traditionally considered solutions, and for which the social value created is installed in the social fabric of society, in the communities and their territories. On the other hand, applied research is defined by the intentionality it establishes with respect to problems, for example, social. It is an option that aims to solve a specific problem or specific approach, directing its efforts in the systematic application of techniques and instruments to produce scientific knowledge. Processes and procedures that are mediated by theories and concepts that make possible not only the intervention but also the accompaniment of communities to achieve the reduction or elimination of a given problem. Both social innovation and applied research make possible the enrichment and cultural and scientific development of communities. Both have great relevance when it is possible to relate them to the concept of social entrepreneurship, where it is possible to adapt business strategies with the objective of contributing to social welfare. The experience presented in this article has been conceived as an innovative way of contributing to social entrepreneurship that involves a sustainable social transformation of a group of entrepreneurs from Nueva Braunau in the Los Lagos region. The project will be presented from its methodological framework structured in the following phases: Phase 1) Identification of the needs of the participants; Phase 2) Action plan with the community; Phase 3) Development of participatory workshops; Phase 4) Evaluation of the process and Phase 5) Feedback to the community

Keywords: Problem-Based Learning; Applied Research; Social Innovation; Outreach Project

View PDF