The world’s social, ecological and economic 
problems are so complex and diverse that there
will never be a “one-size-fits-all” model for 
social innovation. The very nature of social 
innovation as a new, better way of solving 
social problems means that it is not even in the 
interest of social innovation advocates to create 
tidy definitions, but rather to create environments 
that allow for the process of creative 
destruction with a social purpose to prosper. 
Inspired by a desire to deepen our understanding
 of the role of social innovation in 
addressing today’s most pressing challenges, 
authors Heloise Buckland and David Murillo 
explore four inspiring cases and define a new 
set of variables to help better understand the 
conditions under which social innovation can be most effective. These variables can be 
helpful for investors, governments, academic
 centres, foundations and individual entrepreneurs 
interested in measuring the potential of 
any given social innovation to bring about the 
much-needed systemic change to solve today’s
 complex challenges.




This book builds on a track record of 
research and education in corporate social
 responsibility and social entrepreneurship at 
ESADE Business School’s Institute of Social 
Innovation. 
Building on an understanding of the key
 characteristics and challenges faced by social 
entrepreneurs, here authors undertake a deeper
 analysis of social innovation.