Cities in Movement: The Emergence of Social Incubators in Metropolitan Areas by Niccolò Pieri

ABSTRACT

The aim of this contribution is to address the topic concerning social incubators through the building of an economic geography framework in metropolitan areas. The main drivers of social innovation are discussed and the first grounds of evidence for local impacts are presented together with the interactions and needs of the population in cities. In addition, base hypothesis for analysis and performance evaluation of social enterprises and incubators are provided.
Innovation process is paramount and features the starting point of this path, as social incubators are places where innovation takes place. It is indeed at the core of the Schumpeterian view of economic change embedding new products, processes, organizations, markets, and sources of inputs leading to innovation in economic activities.
The above are coupled with the evolutionary perspective of economic change, inspired by selection in industrial dynamics in local areas.