Responsible Innovation During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study from Türkiye

Companies in almost all sectors and countries have faced the challenges of an urgent transition due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside day-to-day operational adjustments, many companies have also made great efforts to mitigate the adverse impacts of COVID-19 on society by taking a socially responsible stance. Companies with a high commitment to society and the environment have successfully embraced their notion of corporate social responsibility (CSR) with innovation. During the pandemic, responsible innovation (RI), as one of the most important tools of CSR, has become an important way of generating societal benefits. Above all, the health sector has experienced diverse versions of RI. Accordingly, this study discusses how RI in the Turkish healthcare system has assisted in coping with the pandemic. To do so, it focuses on the case of Abdi İbrahim, a pioneering Turkish pharmaceutical company. The case provides useful insights into how health sector companies have handled the pandemic in responsible ways. The case also shows how responses could be made more rapid and effective in future pandemics and other global health crises. In particular, the case shows the importance of the inclusion component of the company’s RI in fighting COVID-19, implemented through collaborations and partnerships with national and international companies, the Turkish authorities, and universities.