Promoting Social Innovation through Participatory Approaches in Knowledge Management

Abstract

This paper aims to discuss the potential of participatory research and social planning methodologies for a participatory management of knowledge and for promoting social innovation. In this context, we resume participatory planning and research methodologies implemented in different initiatives of the Social Innovation Science Park at Universidad Minuto de Dios, including the logical framework methodology and tools developed in the field of participatory action research (particularly the participatory rural appraisal and social mapping). We believe that their inclusiveness and their ability to integrate the knowledge and experience of different social and institutional actors encourage the promotion and development of strategies incorporating the different social actors in knowledge management. These methodologies are approaches to knowledge management and to the collective formulation and participatory development of social initiatives, and they therefore are becoming key raw materials for any social innovation initiative.