Bakos Nadina Helen, Affiliated Honorary Research Fellow, Fil. Dr. Jan-U. Sandal Institute, Finstadjordet, Norway

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-8995-0218
e-mail: provost@janusandal.no

Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management in a Scandinavian Context

Introduction. The key topic in the research is innovation management – how social entrepreneurs use innovation management as a tool or method in their strenuousness. Furthermore, why it is important to have an understanding of the process of entrepreneurship and the challenges represented by lack of knowledge on how to manage the innovation process.

Purpose. The purpose of the article is to show that few social entrepreneurs have the ability to manage the innovation process and mix business management with innovation management. Even though there is a certain magnitude in the Scandinavian education system, overall access to knowledge is controlled by the government.

Results. The welfare state is a static system that follows political rules and regulations. There are possibilities for change within the system, but resources, political influence, the static condition of the system and hierarchy limit them. Investors chose few companies to work with, and many angel investors are controlled by the government. The welfare system has labeled social entrepreneurship to focused areas like youth unemployment, drug addiction, poverty among youths, former inmates and environmental issues. Business management is the dominant model used, not innovation management. There is a weak culture for innovation in Norway and Denmark. To work with innovation, take risks, and manage oneself are things many Scandinavians are not used to. Sweden has an efficient production process (Taylorism), which has made it possible for the country to produce goods at a low price and compete on an international level.

Conclusions. Innovation demands nothing less than a creative individual with an idea and the skills of self-management. In the Scandinavian countries, people are free to spend their time on what they want. To be a social entrepreneur in Scandinavia is challenging because the government controls everything, from the financial system, education institutions, the market and the social problems. New research on this topic could include employment, salary, revenue, education, financial systems and profit, among others.

Keywords: Innovation in Scandinavia; entrepreneurship; social entrepreneurship; management; innovation management; innovation management in Scandinavia; management theories; management approaches.

References:

1. Schumpeter, J. A. (1934/1978). The theory of economic development. New York: Oxford University Press, ISBN: 0-87855-698-2.
2. Sandal, J-U. (2008). Et nordisk perspektiv på sosialt entreprenørskap. CSE Årsrapport 2008. Roskilde: CSE Publications.
3. Mulligan, G. Tucker, S. Ali, R. Sanders, B. (2007). Social Innovation, what is it, why it matters and how it can be accelerated. Retrieved from http://eureka.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/761/1/Social_Innovation.pdf.
4. Taylor, F. W. (1997). The principles of scientific management. New York: Dover Publications, ISBN: 978-0-486-29988-4.
5. Fayol, H. (1937). The administrative theory of the state. Papers on the Science of Administration, Institute of Public Administration, 99-114.
6. Drucker, P. F. (1973). New York: Harper-Collins. ISBN 0-88730-615-2.
7. Sejersted, F. (2011). The Age of Social Democracy: Norway and Sweden in the Twentieth Century. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. ISBN: 978-0-691-14774-1.
8. Maddison, A. (2001). The World Economy A Millennial Perspective. Paris: OECD Development Centre. ISBN: 978-9-264-18998-0.
9. Alestalo, M. & Kuhnle, S. (1987). The Scandinavian route: economic, social, and political developments in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. International Journal of sociology, 16(03-04), 3-38.
10. Likenes, B-S. & Likenes, E-M. (2015). Utvikling i norsk personalledelse og HR – motebølge eller havblikk. Bodø: University of Nordland, Paper.
11. Schramm-Nielsen, J., Lawrence, P. & Sivesind, K. H. (2005). Management In Scandinavia: Culture, Context And Change. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd. ISBN: 1843764318.