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Multinational Corporations and Social Innovation in Emerging Markets

Author

Listed:
  • Samuel Adomako

    (University of Birmingham)

  • Xiaohui Liu

    (University of Birmingham)

  • Riikka M. Sarala

    (University of North Carolina at Greensboro)

  • Mujtaba Ahsan

    (San Diego State University)

  • Jeoung Yul Lee

    (Hongik University)

  • Oded Shenkar

    (The Ohio State University)

Abstract

The concept of social innovation has garnered increasing attention across various disciplines, driven by a growing recognition of the need to address complex societal challenges. However, despite the thorough examination of traditional innovation forms and their influence on global business practices, the scrutiny of social innovation within the realm of international business (IB) remains relatively nascent. This introduction delineates the scope of this focused issue and emphasizes the critical need to expand research on social innovation within IB, a field dedicated to enhancing social value and engagement among diverse stakeholders. This focused issue explores the catalysts and impacts of multinational corporations' (MNCs’) social innovation endeavours in emerging markets. Departing from the profit-centric focus of conventional innovation studies, social innovation emphasizes the redistribution of knowledge, the encouragement of discovery, and the facilitation of co-creation, thus posing a challenge to the traditional paradigms and logics of innovation theory. This introduction provides a concise review of current social innovation literature in IB, highlights the contributions made by the articles in this focused issue, and concludes by outlining directions for future research in the domain of social innovation in IB.

Suggested Citation

  • Samuel Adomako & Xiaohui Liu & Riikka M. Sarala & Mujtaba Ahsan & Jeoung Yul Lee & Oded Shenkar, 2024. "Multinational Corporations and Social Innovation in Emerging Markets," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 64(3), pages 343-363, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:manint:v:64:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1007_s11575-024-00540-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s11575-024-00540-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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