Open social innovation: A systematic literature review and future research agenda

Abstract

Open Social Innovation (OSI) has garnered significant attention in recent years as a collaborative approach to addressing societal challenges. However, the field remains fragmented, with divergent definitions, methods, and theoretical underpinnings across disciplines. Through bibliometric and multi-level content analysis, we analyze 115 studies to address these tensions and propose a systems-based framework that bridges conceptual and practical divides. We map the intellectual structure and synthesize OSI research's antecedents, processes, relationships, and outcomes. Unlike prior reviews focused on particular OSI initiatives (e.g., Living Labs) or single levels of analysis, our study integrates dispersed knowledge to highlight actionable insights for practitioners and policymakers. Finally, our review establishes a thematic agenda for future research, targeting multi-level investigations into OSI drivers, mechanisms, and impacts.