International case studies and practice, told by the social innovators themselves.
Edited by Ken Banks, the creator of FrontlineSMS, Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation was published by Kogan Page in March 2016, with forewords by musician and humanitarian Peter Gabriel and Ashoka founder and CEO Bill Drayton.
About the book
Social innovation and social entrepreneurship look for creative and affordable solutions to specific societal problems. Fuelled by the spread of the internet and the ubiquity of mobile phones, there are more people working to solve pressing social and environmental problems in the world today than ever before in human history. ‘Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation’ presents the journeys of pioneering, and often accidental, social innovators who, faced with a problem, used their courage, tenacity and creative thinking to find a solution.
It comes with forewords from Peter Gabriel, musician and activist, and Bill Drayton, founder of Ashoka and the person responsible for the birth of the social entrepreneurship movement.
Endorsed by Professor Klaus Schwab (Founder of the World Economic Forum) and Ethan Zuckerman (MIT Center for Civic Media) among others, this book features 13 inspiring case studies, is Ken Banks’ only academic book publication, and it continues to prove popular among students and the wider academic community, regularly appearing on recommended reading lists.
Inside the book
Using their own words to reflect on their experiences, these cases do not gloss over the setbacks and the dead ends social entrepreneurs can face. Instead, readers will gain a realistic insight into the challenges and an engaging look at the problem-solving mindset needed to overcome them.
From a life-saving project to bring solar-powered lighting to midwives in Nigeria, to a news dissemination service that’s grown from small beginnings to have a global impact, each case study draws out the lessons learnt by the innovators, providing guidance and advice for those looking to follow in their footsteps.
Who should read it
‘Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation’ is an invaluable resource for social entrepreneurs and innovators looking for new ideas and insight into what really works, and what doesn’t. This book is an inspiring read for anyone with a social conscience and a desire to change their world for the better.
About the author
Ken Banks is a British award-winning social innovator, technologist and anthropologist with over 30 years’ experience working in developing regions of the world, particularly Africa, with a focus on technology, conservation and humanitarian relief. He is a PopTech Fellow, an Ashoka Fellow, a National Geographic Explorer and the recipient of numerous fellowships and awards, including the ACM Eugene L. Lawler Award for Humanitarian Contributions within Computer Science. He is best known as the creator of FrontlineSMS and is the founder of kiwanja.net and apathy to action.
Audio
A special feature on BBC Click with Ken Banks, hosted by Bill Thompson and Gareth Mitchell, where we talk about the release of the book.
How to get the book
The book is available in Amazon’s global stores, and as a paperback in most online stores, including the publisher, Kogan Page. A PDF of the book’s introduction can be downloaded free from this website.
Download the free introduction (PDF)Get it on AmazonPaperback (World of Books)Kogan Page
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