Supporting Transformational Social Innovation through Nonprofit and Local Government Relations: A Scoping Literature Review

Abstract

Social innovation that has a sustained impact (i.e. is transformational) requires coordinated effort. This article provides the results of a scoping review of academic literature focused on relational criteria between governments and nonprofit organizations to support transformational social innovation. The results highlight a predominant focus on the importance of conditions for collaboration and partnerships, creation of alternative governance models reflecting shared power dynamics and the importance of communication involving the creation of shared narratives. By critically focusing on the impact of outcomes, the review synthesizes literature highlighting relational elements between nonprofit and government that are necessary to sustain social innovation.