Ecosystem Approach as an Alternative Way for Development of Social Innovations in the Region

The article studies the phenomenon of social innovations and their place in the life of modern society. The purpose of the article is to highlight the significant features of this phenomenon based on the review of scientific sources, as well as to determine the most relevant approach for organizing work concerning the development of social innovations in Russia. The author analyzes scientific literature, which considers the essence of social innovation as a new dimension of economy, its socio-economic components. Systematizing the views of Russian and foreign scholars, the article distinguishes different approaches to the social innovation ideas: institutional, analogue, societal, service, entrepreneurial, process, ecosystemic. It is determined that, at the present time, social innovation in Russia is developing within the frames of an entrepreneurial attitude (although economically developed countries are gradually moving away from it). On the basis of sociological measurements, the author identifies the constrains in the of social entrepreneurship – a strong dependence on state assistance and grant funds; actual absence of counterparties forming an innovative infrastructure; the lack of entrepreneurial and creative culture among the population (the reason for the latter is often not only objective, but also subjective factors – a wary attitude towards the rationalization ideas of colleagues and direct leadership), etc. With the help of conceptual modeling, a scheme has been developed for the interaction of a wide range of participants in the process of developing, implementing and promoting social innovations (government bodies, business, population, science, state and non-state funds, etc.) within the innovation ecosystem of a particular region. The possible advantages of this approach for society and the state are identified. Recommendations are presented on the selection of regions for subsidizing the development of the ecosystem from the federal budget. The article can be used by public authorities for developing the medium and long-term strategies of territories socio-economic development.