Reexamining the goals of innovation: a public value creation and improvement as summum bonum perspective
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to answer the important question relating to the actual goals of innovation through the reexamination of innovation goals. The reexamination of the goals of innovation in this paper begins with the attachment of innovation and its goals to sustainability. The precise dimensions adopted in the reexamination of innovation goals are social innovation; innovation economy; environmental innovation and technological (which often enhances the goals of other three dimensions) innovation. Design/methodology/approach In arriving at a common position/outlook/representation relating to innovation goals, an integrated argumentative methodology/framework/approach is adopted. The integrated framework helps to connect the key goal of social innovation to the realization of social sustainability and value; the key goal of innovation economy to the realization of economic sustainability and value; the key goal of environmental innovation to the realization of environmental sustainability and value and the key goal of technological innovation to the realization of social sustainability and value, economic sustainability and value and environmental sustainability and value collectively/simultaneously. Findings The integrated effects lead to public value creation and improvement as the summum bonum between innovation and sustainability. It is also argued that public value creation and improvement are further enhanced when the philosophical paradigms/approaches/doctrine of the “philosophy of action” and “philosophy of mind” are allowed to produce viable and sustainable innovation policies during preparation, formulation, implementation, evaluation and maintenance, which then help to make public value creation and improvement as the summum bonum. Research limitations/implications It can be complex/difficult to identify every goal of innovation, because of the broad nature. However, a simple approach can be adopted in realizing an integrated/aggregated position/outlook. This limitation was put into consideration in this paper and a justification ground was established to answer the question raised in this paper via an integrated argumentation approach, which narrows the key goals of innovation to the creating and improving public value as a summum bonum. Originality/value The originality of this paper is connected to the study gap that exists in the area of innovation goals. The actual goals of innovations are often difficult to identify and quantify. The innovative approach adopted in this paper creates the possibility for narrowing multiple goals of innovation to the creation and improvement of something special or real (e.g. public value).
Author: Omoregie Charles Osifo
Institution: University of Vaasa
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4409693205