Digital Social Entrepreneurs as Bridges in Public–Private Partnerships

Developing innovative projects towards the achievement of the socio-economic impact of a technology is a challenge for the researchers, industry, and policymakers. This research develops a new model to identify the key roles in the innovation process by analyzing 10 projects developed and managed by public–private partnerships. This research describes the role of people (i.e. innovation managers, lead-users, embedded lead-users, social entrepreneurs, technology-reflective individuals and online community leaders) in the social innovation process. The social entrepreneur is the key role acting as a bridge between innovation managers and technology-reflective individuals. Furthermore, reflective people such as young couples with kids, elderly or Millennials are fundamental for the impact creation.