Digital technology in social innovation – TEPSIE report

TEPSIE is a research project funded under the European Commission’s 7th Framework Programme. One area of their project examines the extent to which, how and why, online networks and other digital tools are being used by, and having an impact on, social innovation.

There is much evidence that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) substantially changes the character of communication, relationship building, collaboration platforms, information access and data usage, social choices, service models, financing and much more. However, there has been little focused work to date on the relationship between ICT and social innovation.

This paper attempts to provide a short synopsis of Tepsie’s work in this area to fill this gap, at least partially, Some of what this paper looks into includes: the use and role of ICT, social needs and social innovation outcomes, governance (operations, strategy and policy) and drivers and barriers.