In the last years, social innovation has acquired centrality in the debate among practitioners, media, policy makers and academicians because it represents a “ray of hope” against social inequalities, poverty, human rights abuses, unemployment and environmental damages.

Managing social innovation is extremely challenging because recomposing social value creation and wealth generation in a single venture requires the development of specific and complex skill, capabilities, and managerial practices. Yet, organizations that are capable to manage social innovation successfully can not only drive a positive change in society but also acquire a sustainable competitive advantage.

So: What are the key winning factors of social innovation? Where does social innovation occur? How is it possible to combine different and apparently antithetic objectives – social impact and profitability – in the same organization? How is it possible to transform a social problem in a business opportunity with positive social impact?
This course will assist students to answer such questions through the discussion of case studies, and articles from prominent managerial and academic journals.

Prerequisites: None