EXPANDING HORIZONS: ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATIONALIZATION OF THE SOCIAL INNOVATION HUB

dc.contributor.authorZeeshan, Mohammad
dc.contributor.authorDussupova, Ainagul
dc.contributor.authorSerikbayeva, Akmaral
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-08T11:54:26Z
dc.date.available2025-01-08T11:54:26Z
dc.date.issued2024-12-09
dc.description.abstractEXECUTIVE ABSTRACT This academic paper presents a comprehensive investigation into fostering social innovation and entrepreneurship in Central Asia, with a primary focus on the launch and establishment of the Social Innovation Hub (SIH) in Kazakhstan. The project envisions the SIH as a pioneering platform dedicated to addressing socio-economic challenges such as unemployment, inequality, and lack of entrepreneurial support by creating an ecosystem that encourages innovative problem-solving and sustainable development. At the heart of this initiative is the formation of an international collaboration and knowledge partnership with a globally recognized institution. This partnership aims to facilitate the sharing of resources, provide capacity-building support, and co-develop programs designed to promote social innovation and entrepreneurship. Through this collaboration, the SIH will gain access to global expertise and best practices, ensuring its alignment with international standards while addressing the unique challenges of the region. Another key element of this project is organizing an annual Eurasian-level summit to serve as a platform for dialogue and collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including business leaders, investors, government officials, academics, and representatives of civil society. This summit aims to forge partnerships, stimulate investment, and build a cohesive community committed to advancing social entrepreneurship. The summit will also be instrumental in positioning Kazakhstan as a regional hub for social innovation. The paper also emphasizes the importance of forging academic partnerships with universities to embed social innovation and entrepreneurship in their curricula. By incorporating these concepts into formal education, the project seeks to nurture a new generation of change-makers equipped with the skills and knowledge to create impactful social projects. These initiatives are complemented by the establishment of mentorship programs and incubation facilities to provide practical training and support for budding social entrepreneurs. A cornerstone of the SIH initiative is its financial sustainability plan. A dual-revenue model is proposed, comprising renting out facilities and offering training programs. This model ensures the hub’s self-sufficiency in managing operational expenditures and working capital. Financial analyses, including metrics like Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and payback periods, validate the model’s viability. While training programs demonstrate high profitability, renting operations require optimization in terms of occupancy rates and cost efficiency to maximize their contribution. This paper further integrates strategic analyses using frameworks such as PESTEL, VRIO, and SWOT to evaluate the operational and strategic positioning of SIH. The findings underscore the potential of SIH to catalyze systemic change in the region by empowering individuals, building institutional capacity, and fostering collaboration. By addressing key challenges and leveraging the recommendations outlined, the SIH is poised to serve as a model for similar initiatives in Central Asia and beyond, driving a wave of social innovation and sustainable development.
dc.identifier.citationZeeshan, M., Dussupova, A., Serikbayeva, A. (2024). Expanding Horizons: Establishment And Operationalization of the Social Innovation Hub. Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business
dc.identifier.urihttps://nur.nu.edu.kz/handle/123456789/8382
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherNazarbayev University Graduate School of Business
dc.rightsAttribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United Statesen
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/
dc.subjectSocial entrepreneurship
dc.subjectsocial innovation
dc.subjectsocial movement
dc.subjectgrants
dc.subjectsocial innovation strategy
dc.subjectType of access: Embargo
dc.titleEXPANDING HORIZONS: ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATIONALIZATION OF THE SOCIAL INNOVATION HUB
dc.typeMaster`s thesis

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