Why is Open Social Innovation gaining momentum nowadays?

The urgent need to address complex societal problems, referred to as “Grand Challenges,” requires collaboration among various groups of actors. Acknowledging that one organization alone does not possess all the needed capabilities and expertise, it is increasingly important to establish collaborations across various sectors. These collaborative efforts are emphasized by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17, which focuses on the importance of global partnerships to reach impactful objectives. Diverse stakeholders from government, business, social sectors, and civic groups are coming together to contribute a combination of resources and competencies that enable social innovations to scale and achieve their intended effects. In this scenario, Open Social Innovation (OSI) initiatives are gaining momentum. By conduct a systematic literature review, we explore the main characteristics of the existing relevant research on the topic and set the boundaries of this line of investigation, suggesting a theoretical framework for Open Social Innovation. By doing so, we provide a tripartite contribution. First, our study outlines the existing research on OSI. Secondly, we classify OSI efforts to grasp their distinct features and functioning, underlining what makes them unique. These three conditions are: the goal of creating a multidimensional impact through co-creation, formal and informal governance mechanisms for coordination and alignment among the various involved stakeholders, and the increased proximity aspect. In conclusion, we suggest a research agenda that highlights the need for additional studies on overlooked areas of OSI. Our aim is to provide meaningful knowledge for both scholars and professionals, broadening their understanding of this timely and relevant area of research and practice, to help them in generating benefits for the societal good. The key insights from our discussion can be summarized as follows: 1. The current perspective of OSI indicates a dominance of socially impactful projects that engage diverse groups of participants through multi-stakeholder initiatives. 2. OSI endeavors are marked by a tri-fold approach: they strive to produce multifaceted impacts via collaborative efforts; they implement governance structures for the inclusion of various participants; and they foster closer ties through a blend of physical and technological channels, such as digital platforms. 3. Under-examined topics that warrant more attention in discussions surrounding OSI involve resolving disputes, collaboration enabled by technology, crafting governance mechanisms, evaluating impacts, and place-based innovations.