Table Of Contenti
INNOVATION FROM WITHIN
ii
iii
INNOVATION
FROM WITHIN
REDEFINING HOW NONPROFITS
SOLVE PROBLEMS
Stephanie Cosner Berzin
AND
Humberto Camarena
1
iv
1
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Cosner Berzin, Stephanie, author. | Camarena, Humberto, author.
Title: Innovation from within : redefining how nonprofits solve problems /
Stephanie Cosner Berzin and Humberto Camarena.
Description: New York : Oxford University Press, 2018. |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017042786 (print) | LCCN 2017058968 (ebook) |
ISBN 9780190858803 (updf) | ISBN 9780190858810 (epub) |
ISBN 9780190858797 (paperback)
Subjects: LCSH: Technological innovations—Management. | Problem solving. |
Nonprofit organizations—Management.
Classification: LCC HD45 (ebook) | LCC HD45 .C684 2018 (print) |
DDC 658.4/063—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017042786
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Printed by WebCom, Inc., Canada
v
CONTENTS
About the Authors ix
Introduction xi
Why We Need Innovation from Within xiii
How to Use Innovation from Within xiv
PART I INNOVATION REDEFINED
1. Reframe Social Innovation 3
Definitions of Social Innovation: Buzzword or Field Change? 4
Frameworks for Innovation: Paradigms, Action, and Process 7
Solutions for Innovation: New Approaches for Solving Problems 11
Pathways to Innovation: Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship 12
Reflection for Reframing Social Innovation 18
Main Points for Reframing Social Innovation 18
2. Claim the Nonprofit Role in Innovation 19
Call to Action: Why Nonprofits Must Innovate 20
Opportunities and Challenges: Innovation in the Nonprofit Context 28
Implement Innovation: The Nonprofit Innovation Model 34
Reflection for Claiming the Nonprofit Role in Innovation 37
Main Points for Claiming the Nonprofit Role in Innovation 38
vi
3. Cultivate Innovative Nonprofits 39
Develop Personnel for Innovation: Ready the Leaders,
Ready the Team 40
Build Capacity for Success: Communication, Design Thinking,
and Technology 44
Think Like an Innovator: Adopt a Mindset for Intrapreneurship 48
Reflection for Cultivating Innovative Nonprofits 52
Main Points for Cultivating Innovative Nonprofits 52
PART II INNOVATION IN ACTION
Catalyze Theory Into Action 53
Apply and Adapt the IN Model 55
4. Initiate 57
Create the Culture for Innovation 59
Mobilize Innovators Within Your Organization 66
Build Your Innovation Team 73
Reflection on Initiating from Within 78
Main Points for Initiating from Within 78
5. Investigate 79
Discover Your Inspiration 81
Dive Deep Into the Issue 87
(Re)define Your Problem Statement 95
Reflection on Investigating from Within 97
Main Points for Investigating from Within 98
6. Innovate 99
Ideate Solutions from Within 101
Create Your Alpha Prototype 110
Develop Your Beta Prototype 115
Reflection on Innovating from Within 121
Main Points for Innovating from Within 121
vi • Contents
vii
7. Integrate 122
Move from Prototype to Full Implementation 124
Evaluate and Scale to Amplify Impact 132
Make Innovation Your Competitive Advantage 136
Reflection on Integrating from Within 142
Main Points for Integrating from Within 142
PART III INNOVATION FOR THE FUTURE
8. Envision the Future of Nonprofits 145
Research and Redefine: Nonprofits as Thought Leaders in Innovation 145
Advocate for Tomorrow: Develop the Sector’s Resources
for Innovation 147
Next Generation Leadership: Paradigms and Skills for the Future 148
Reflection for Envisioning the Future of Nonprofits 149
Main Points for Envisioning the Future of Nonprofits 150
9. Build the New Nonprofit DNA 151
Reflection for Building the New Nonprofit DNA 153
Main Points for Building the New Nonprofit DNA 153
Conclusion 154
Glossary 157
References 161
Index 165
Contents • vii
viii
ix
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Stephanie Cosner Berzin, PhD, is Assistant Dean, Doctoral Program and an Associate
Professor at the Boston College School of Social Work. As co- founder of the Social
Innovation + Leadership Program, Dr. Berzin co-l ed the curriculum redesign and devel-
opment of the strategic vision for social innovation at the school. Dr. Berzin serves as Co-
Director of the Center for Social Innovation, where she conducts research and supports
organizational capacity- building around innovation and intrapreneurship. Her research
and consulting work with hundreds of social sector leaders supports the development of
an innovation skill set and helps build organizational capacity for change. As the principal
investigator on more than 20 projects related to social intrapreneurship and author of more
than 50 publications, her work promotes the capacity of existing agencies to respond to
social issues.
Humberto Camarena, MSW, is an Adjunct Professor and Administrator at the Pontificia
Universidad Católica de Chile School of Social Work where he teaches social innovation
and develops social impact projects with government, nonprofit, and for- profit organiza-
tions. Prior to this, he was the Assistant Director of the Boston College Center for Social
Innovation and directed the implementation of multiple interorganizational social innova-
tion labs in Latin America. Humberto’s work through innovation collaboratives has gen-
erated social impact in diverse issues including peace and conflict resolution, education,
housing and homelessness, environmental sustainability, and women’s entrepreneurship.
