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This study jointly examines the social innovation potential and spatial competitiveness of Hungarian municipalities in terms of competitive advantage and competitive disadvantage. The primary focus of our study is on the link between the factors of social innovation potential and spatial competitive advantage. Based on the social innovation complex index of municipalities and its components, we analyse the spatial pattern of social innovation potential in the country using cluster analysis and explore the possible causes of spatial disparities based on social innovation.

The study examines the social innovation potential and competitiveness of municipalities in terms of competitive advantage- and disadvantage. While our previous research on social innovation studied independently the processes, levels, stakeholders and relationships with technical and technological innovation, the current study analyses the complex index created by social innovation potential. The link between social innovation potential and the factors of competitive advantage can be established on the conceptual plane of sustainable value creation, seeking to link the concept of competition to the enhancement of social well-being and prosperity in a new way. The paper pays particular attention to the measurement challenges of the social innovation process, as well as to the impact measurement and sustainability assessment of social innovation initiatives. This research defines a complex indicator of the social innovation potential of Hungarian districts and is using the indicator to examine the extent to which key territorial processes are related to the characteristics defined by the indicator. In the analysis, the authors discuss the relationship between territorial competitiveness and social innovation potential in Hungary's districts. The study also draws conclusions on how the results may be applied in the economic development decision-making processes of the districts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The study introduces a methodological tool for measuring local social innovation potential and its application in five settlements in the Abaúj region of northeastern Hungary. When working on the local innovation potential (LIP) index we present in this study, we drew upon existing theories and models of social innovation. The complexity of LIP index comes from the fact that it builds upon both qualitative and quantitative data and research methods. Therefore it is simultaneously based on social scientific methods that are traditionally considered “soft” and “hard”. The LIP index is can take into account local specificities and characteristics into account and is thus suitable for presenting a fine-tuned description of the current situation and characteristics of a settlement, together with its future potential and directions for development.

The study introduces a methodological tool for measuring local social innovation potential and its application in five settlements in the Abaúj region of northeastern Hungary. When working on the local innovation potential (LIP) index we present in this study, we drew upon existing theories and models of social innovation. The complexity of LIP index comes from the fact that it builds upon both qualitative and quantitative data and research methods. Therefore it is simultaneously based on social scientific methods that are traditionally considered "soft" and "hard". The LIP index is can take into account local specificities and characteristics into account and is thus suitable for presenting a fine-tuned description of the current situation and characteristics of a settlement, together with its future potential and directions for development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovation is one of the determining factors of economic output. The actors of economics have long recognized that in regions where there is a lack of economic and natural science innovation, social innovation can be a compensating factor. This recent research presents a methodology for measuring social innovation potential (index) and defines a knowledge engineering system that helps to generate such innovations. This can be applicable to defining the intervention axis along which social innovation potential can be increased.