New research centre focuses on social innovation

A new research centre that aims to showcase New Zealand’s social entrepreneurial spirit has been set up at the University.

The New Zealand Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Research Centre will be the first interdisciplinary centre of its kind in the country.

It has been founded by socio-economist Professor Anne de Bruin of the School of Economics and Finance with an aim to contribute to social innovation through collaborative research.

Professor de Bruin, who is based on the Albany campus, says the concept of social innovation is not widely understood but will play an increasingly important role in the future.

“Figures such as New Zealander of the Year Ray Avery have brought social innovation to the forefront of people’s minds,” she says. “We need to understand that innovation is not only about science, technology and business but also about social issues.”

Professor de Bruin says social innovation is also about community and how we might build community assets. “Growing our community assets helps create a dynamic community and that increases regional employment, economic and social development. We also want to raise awareness among our students that it’s not all about money and profit; they need to think beyond that and focus attention on the importance of social goals.”

Centre researchers have been working on a case study of Wellington Zoo, focused on the various factors that contribute to the success of not-for-profit organisations. Their paper Not for Loss: Insights on Building a Community Asset, has been accepted for presentation at the 7th Annual Satter Conference on Social Entrepreneurship at New York University next month.

“The zoo is an integral aspect of the Wellington region and innovation and entrepreneurial activity is helping it play a more vibrant role in the community,” Professor de Bruin says. The paper is co-authored by Drs Simona Fabrizi, Louise Lee, Kate Lewis and Steffen Lippert.

Professor de Bruin says a series of case studies will be carried out to grasp the broader context of success of social entrepreneurship and understand social innovation. Further research will consider ecopreneurship and green entrepreneurship, sustainability and ethical issues, not-for-profit, community, charity and philanthropic businesses that have an entrepreneurial approach.

Professor de Bruin has long-running research interests in entrepreneurship and how it contributes to employment creation. In 2008, she received a four-month Fulbright scholarship and worked with top scholars at Babson College, in Boston – the leading entrepreneurship research and teaching institution in the United States.

The new centre will be showcased at an innovative launch event described as a “show and tell” on the Albany campus on October 14 addressed by Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey. In keeping with the social ethos of the centre, donations to the Christchurch earthquake appeal will be made.

Members of the centre’s board of governance, Distinguished Professor Gaven Martin of the College of Science, Professor David Ding of the College of Business, and Associate Professor Peter Lineham of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and other well-wishers will be present.

The website for the New Zealand Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Research Centre can be viewed here http://sierc.massey.ac.nz