Involvement of multinational corporations in social innovation: Exploring an emerging phenomenon

While studies on social innovation (SI) have expanded significantly, our understanding of multinational corporations (MNCs) in the “social” innovation arena remains in its infancy. Through a systematic literature review, we consolidate and examine literature linking the MNC with the ongoing discussion of SI based activities. Based on a qualitative content analysis of 60 articles, this review explores how the MNC is portrayed with regard to its involvement in SI. The analysis identifies a fragmented view of MNCs involvement in SI and reveals a variety of theoretical approaches and conceptualisations in prior research. Our review presents a framework of ‘MNC involvement in SI’ encompassing: differentiated conceptualisations, a dual value approach, five generic MNC roles, proactive and/or responsive motives, and specific barriers connected to the involvement in SI activities. From this, we suggest a number of implications for theory and practice as well as some directions for future research.