Introduction
The common understanding of innovation is often associated with introducing the most modern technologies or methods. Such terms are commonly used in the context of a business or state development, and this process has become an indispensable part of the existence of globalization. However, no less important are the tendencies of social development, innovations in which contribute not only to the development of business but likewise, first of all, to stabilization and improvement of the quality of society’s existence and human impact on the environment. Social Prosperity Wood Buffalo is a program of the partnership between non-profit and philanthropic organizations in the eponymous region of Canada to develop and implement effective new solutions to optimize the social sector and eliminate environmental and social problems.
Understanding the Concept
In the innovation process in business, there is a full opportunity to predict the necessary result, to foresee the increase in income or other benefits and advantages. Moreover, most of the disadvantages are apparent in such a situation, and many difficulties can be foreseen in advance. However, this becomes impossible when considering and implementing social innovation (van Wijk et al., 2019). Each person is an individual, and their opinions, goals and aspirations are absolutely individual. Public opinion is heterogeneous if the policy and goal of a particular organization are the same and appropriate methods are selected. In this case, not all initiatives within the social information process can be correctly understood and accepted (Ravazzoli & Valero, 2020). For the same reason, there are a large number of different methods, techniques and approaches, as well as disputes in the field of social research.
Regarding the relationship of social innovation to the field of the environment, the format of human harm reduction is generalized and more consolidated. People from all social and ethnic groups are aware of the importance of maintaining environmentalism in all human activities (Ravazzoli & Valero, 2020). Thus, this sphere has less resistance from most parts of society. However, it is much more challenging to implement social innovations in the format of sustainability accounting, control and compliance with all norms of commercial organizations (van Wijk et al., 2019). This problem is particularly acute in industries related to heavy industry, engineering, and mining, which are common in Wood Buffalo.
The example of the SPWB makes clear not only the same challenges facing the process of social innovation but likewise the role and necessity of this process in the current environment. The difficulty of presenting complex ideas and implementing them into reality, and the inefficiency of inter-community and inter-sectoral interaction underline the potential amount of positive change that can be achieved (McGowan, 2015). Thus, the overall role of social change is in the normalization of society and the pursuit of greater adaptability and resilience of natural and human systems.
Personal Experience
In the context of personal experience, there is an opportunity to draw a parallel to the importance of social innovation. It is equally important to understand why SPWB partnerships were created in a region quickly settled by people of different cultures from different places after the discovery of oil-bearing strata (Glover et al., 2015). As a member of a family of immigrants, I believe that the social innovation processes expressed in establishing a system of integration and interaction between people are at the highest level in Canada. Furthermore, setting up, implementing and monitoring such a system requires maximum attention and support from society and the state.
The main problems of today’s social sphere are diversity, human rights, and care for the environment. Thus, the formation of a collective understanding of shared responsibility for the development and implementation of standard rules of existence represents one of the roles of social innovation (Mattes, 2015). In my personal opinion, the interaction between people lies at the center of all human activity. Moreover, from my own experience, it is possible to observe social innovations that blur the boundaries between people, increasing interaction efficiency. Educational institutions are an example of such innovation with a long history. From a young age, children of entirely different ethnic groups are taught together, increasing their cultural tolerance and learning to ignore irrelevant differences.
Conclusion
Thus, the conclusion about the importance of the SPWB for the young region and social innovation for the success and effectiveness of all levels of society is confirmed. The complex but rewarding work of introducing community ideas, developing the social sector, and creating new venues for interaction has been an example of contributing to the region’s transformation from a gathering place of people with diverse interests who came for high earnings. Wood Buffalo is now associated with a region where young families are raising children and striving for a successful future, which only underscores the importance of social innovation for today’s individual.
References
Glover, C., Nordbye, K., & Jackson, B. (2015). The funder’s view: Three Suncor employees share their stories. Web.
Mattes, N. (2015). Leading a social innovation process. Web.
McGowan, K. (2015). Tending a social innovation garden: Social Prosperity Wood Buffalo and creating the space for change. Web.
Ravazzoli, E., & Valero, D. E. (2020). Social innovation: An instrument to achieve the sustainable development of communities. In Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (pp. 1–10). Springer International Publishing. Web.
van Wijk, J., Zietsma, C., Dorado, S., de Bakker, F. G. A., & MartĂ, I. (2019). Social innovation: Integrating micro, Meso, and macro level insights from institutional theory. Business and Society, 58(5), 887–918. Web.