Social Intrapreneurship, the Main Factor of Social Innovations Within Traditional Companies

Abstract

Social innovation within traditional companies and public entities is a phenomenon that occurs more and more frequently. Individuals within companies or organizations usually drive these social innovations, using the structures and resources of the organizations where they work to meet the needs of the society. These individuals, known as social intrapreneurs, have characteristics similar to social entrepreneur. Through them, companies and organizations start their internal transformation and generate actions that positively affect the attention to social problems before they even considered. They are a crucial element in the articulation of the ecosystem of transformation and social innovation. This chapter raises awareness of what is a social intrapreneur, what is the role they play in the processes of social innovation, and what are the conditions or factors that contribute to its positioning inside and outside companies or organizations.