Identify an example of social innovation, social entrepreneurship or social enterprise, and then undertake additional research / analysis to prepare a report that summarises the critical elements of innovation management in your own words.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Report on Social Innovation: TOMS Shoes
Introduction
Social innovation refers to novel solutions to social problems that are more effective, efficient, or sustainable than existing approaches. One prominent example of social innovation is TOMS Shoes, a company founded by Blake Mycoskie in 2006. TOMS has gained recognition for its unique business model that combines profit-making with social impact. This report summarizes the critical elements of innovation management as exemplified by TOMS Shoes.
Overview of TOMS Shoes
TOMS Shoes operates on a “One for One” business model, which means that for every pair of shoes sold, the company donates a pair to a child in need. This approach not only addresses issues of poverty and access to basic needs but also creates a strong emotional connection with consumers who value social responsibility. Over the years, TOMS has expanded its product lines and impact areas, including eyewear and clean water initiatives.
Critical Elements of Innovation Management
1. Vision and Mission Alignment
A clear vision and mission are fundamental to successful innovation management. TOMS Shoes was founded with a strong commitment to addressing social issues, which is reflected in its mission statement. The alignment of business goals with social impact helps to attract like-minded employees, investors, and consumers who share similar values.
2. Customer-Centric Approach
Understanding customer needs and preferences is essential for driving innovation. TOMS engages with its customers through storytelling and transparency about its social impact. This customer-centric approach builds loyalty and encourages consumers to support the brand not only for its products but also for its mission.
3. Collaboration and Partnerships
Social innovation often requires collaboration across sectors. TOMS has partnered with various nonprofit organizations to implement its giving initiatives effectively. Collaborating with established organizations enhances TOMS’s credibility, operational efficiency, and ability to reach communities in need.
4. Scalability and Sustainability
For social innovations to have a lasting impact, they must be scalable and sustainable. TOMS Shoes has demonstrated scalability through its growth from a small startup to a global brand. The sustainability of its “One for One” model is continually assessed to ensure that it remains viable in the long term while making a positive impact on communities.
5. Measuring Impact
Measuring the social impact of innovations is crucial for assessing effectiveness and informing future strategies. TOMS employs various metrics to evaluate the outcomes of its giving initiatives, such as the number of shoes donated and improvements in children’s health and education due to access to footwear.
6. Adaptability and Responsiveness
Innovation management requires organizations to be adaptable in response to changing market conditions or social needs. TOMS has evolved its product offerings based on consumer feedback and global trends, such as introducing sustainable materials in response to growing environmental concerns.
Conclusion
TOMS Shoes exemplifies how social innovation can be effectively managed through a clear mission, customer-centric practices, collaborative partnerships, scalability, impact measurement, and adaptability. By integrating these critical elements into their business model, TOMS not only generates profit but also addresses pressing social issues, demonstrating that businesses can succeed while making a difference in the world. Through continued focus on innovation management, TOMS can further enhance its social impact and inspire other enterprises to adopt similar practices.
