Social innovations: main forms and issues of their implementation at the present stage of Russia's development

Subject. The aggravation of such social issues as increased tension in the labour market, an accelerated rate of inflation, a drop in people’s incomes, declining birth rates and increasing natural population decline, insufficient state social services, environmental pollution, and others has been typical for Russian during recent years. An introduction of social innovations in the operation of economic entities may serve as a solution for these social issues. Therefore, social innovations whose forms depend on the objectives, tasks, needs, and interests of economic entities as well as general conditions and factors of their presence become relevant. Objectives. The goal of the articles was to study the main forms of social innovations and to identify the issues of their implementation and propagation within the contemporary conditions of the operation of economic entities. Methodology. To achieve the set goals, the following scientific methods were used: dialectical, analysis and synthesis, generalisation, and comparison. The research was based on the study of relevant scientific literature and economic journals. Conclusions. As a result of the study, it was established that the main forms of social innovations are social enterprise, social entrepreneurship, social cooperation, social partnership, and social contract. However, the process of propagating and scaling up social innovations in Russia is taking a long time due to the negative influence of objective and subjective factors. Among these factors are the following: lack of a single regulatory framework in the field of social innovations, uneven development of some regions of the country, lack of resources, regional budget deficits, etc. Thus, under these conditions, an effective state social and innovative policy determines the diffusion of social innovations. Using alternative methods and practices, it will help to reduce social tension, increase people’s real income and life quality, which, as a result, should lead to an extended propagation of all results and factors of economic growth. The scientific novelty of this study is that it explains the content of the forms of social innovations that act as an efficient tool of state policy.