Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/81325
Title: Social innovation in Maltese SMEs
Authors: Pace Gasan, Samantha (2020)
Keywords: Small business -- Malta
Social entrepreneurship -- Malta
Technological innovations -- Social aspects -- Malta
Issue Date: 2020
Citation: Pace Gasan, S. (2020). Social innovation in Maltese SMEs (Master's dissertation).
Abstract: Social innovation is considered as a new and emerging field, which has been given more prominence during the last decade. It is defined as the practical application of ideas for the development of new and improved products, processes, methods and/or services to resolve social problems while creating value for shareholders (Herrera, 2015; Sinnergiak Social Innovation, 2013) and other stakeholders. Within the Maltese context, social innovation is barely spoken of. Thus, the purpose of this research was to better understand social innovation within Maltese SMEs. Three research questions were addressed, namely: (1) To what extent are local SMEs engaged in social innovation? (2) What are the factors that influence the engagement of social innovation in local SMEs? (3) How can local SMEs be supported to engage in social innovation? Rogers’ (2003) Diffusion of Innovation (DoI) Theory and the Social Entrepreneurial Orientation (SEO) Scale (Kraus et al., 2017) were used to address the research questions. A mixed methods approach was adopted, and data collection was divided into two phases. First, an online survey was distributed amongst local SMEs focusing on their knowledge, attitudes and practices of social innovation. The survey was fully completed by 71 respondents who fell within the targeted population. The second phase of the research project involved five semi-structured interviews with relevant stakeholders in the business sector, to delve more deeply into current and prospective efforts in the business ecosystem to promote social innovation. The survey data was analysed using SPSS, and the interviews with thematic analysis. Findings show that there is lack of knowledge amongst participants, whereby SMEs do not invest much effort to engage in social innovation. This could be due to the gap between resources required for social innovation and those available for SMEs. With regards to Rogers’ (2003) Attributes of Innovation, observability was found to have a significant positive impact on the engagement with social innovation. Finally, a collaborative environment is considered to encourage the diffusion of social innovation amongst SMEs.
Description: M.CREATIVITY&INNOVATION
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/81325
Appears in Collections:Dissertations - InsDeB - 2020

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