A vicious cycle of superficial conceptualising: Deconstruction of nature in social innovation (policy) discourse

Ergun, Hande Sinem and Samur-Teraman, Seray Begum (2023) A vicious cycle of superficial conceptualising: Deconstruction of nature in social innovation (policy) discourse. The International Journal NOvation – Critical Studies of Innovation, 4. pp. 118-142. ISSN 2562-7147

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Abstract

Critical studies of social innovation (SI) reveal sustainability concepts are widely used by scholars, policy makers and practitioners on a superficial level (Eichler & Schwarz, 2019). Even if SI is mainly linked to social and economic dimensions, the relationship between SI and environment is still vague and needs further research. One possible reason for this disconnectedness would be the dominating anthropocentric assumptions instead of ecocentric assumptions? To fill this gap, this paper aims to explore the conceptualization of nature in SI documents. We do this through an analysis of United Nations (UN) publications, particularly, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Accelerator Labs. In addition, we consider how SI is understood, executed, promoted and how perceptions of nature affect SI. Eco-critical discourse analysis (ECDA) is adopted as an analytical approach for this study. This study utilizes texts as empirical material on SI published by the UN. The focus on the UN is appropriate, as they are a highly influential institution on national economies in shaping their SI policies and practices. Therefore, this study is undertaken on the basis that the discourse of these documents affects the SI discourse and practices of countries and the field. The contribution of this study lies in its effort to reveal embedded propositions in SI texts through language-driven analysis, then to discuss how a deeper understanding would regain the agenda for long-lasting socio-economic problems through an ecocentric critical discourse.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.5380/nocsi.v0i4.91116
Dates:	Date Event 16 May 2023 Accepted 18 May 2023 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	social innovation, sustainable development, ecocentrism, policy discourse, ecocentric critical discourse analysis
Subjects:	CAH17 - business and management > CAH17-01 - business and management > CAH17-01-02 - business studies
Divisions:	Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences > College of Business, Digital Transformation & Entrepreneurship
Depositing User:	Seray Samur-Teraman
Date Deposited:	25 Feb 2025 15:52
Last Modified:	26 Feb 2025 14:04
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16172

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