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Social Entrepreneurs and Lead Users: The Case of the Blue Lagoon, Iceland

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  • Einar Svansson

Abstract

Social entrepreneurs innovate to solve social problems, often related to health. Lead users innovate if extreme needs call for a better solution that is not yet available in the market/society. There is an opportunity for expansion of concept, looking more closely at the impact and evolution of health and spa organiza-tions that start with a community-based non-profit mission. This is a case study using historical data from Iceland and interviews with managers and network partners of a recent important geo-thermal destination, the Blue Lagoon spa. The case provides an interesting opportunity to apply social entrepreneurships and lead user lenses to explore the history of a health and spa destination. Initially, the idea came from trials of patients with psoriasis from the Spoex foundation, who used the silica- and mineral-enriched wastewater from a geothermal power plant. These treatments led to development of a world-famous health clinic over the course of 25 years. The healing effects of the water have been scientifically confirmed. Parallel to this innovation, the organization devel-oped a mass tourism spa with 1 million visitors annually. Another increasing field for the Blue Lagoon has been skin care and an-ti-aging products using the water from the lagoon. The tourism spa and health destination history could benefit from being ana-lyzed from the perspective of social entrepreneurs and lead users

Suggested Citation

  • Einar Svansson, 2018. "Social Entrepreneurs and Lead Users: The Case of the Blue Lagoon, Iceland," Revista Equidad y Desarrollo, Universidad de la Salle, issue 31, pages 95-110, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:col:000452:016458
    DOI: 10.19052/ed.4446
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    1. Benoît Desmarchelier & Faridah Djellal & Faïz Gallouj, 2018. "Public Service Innovation Networks (PSINs): Collaborating for Innovation and Value Creation," Working Papers halshs-01934275, HAL.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Entrepreneurship; health care market; tourism; Iceland;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism

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