Deconstructing social policy innovation through the use of complex systems theory: A methodology for modelling and simulation of the impact of ICT-enabled social innovation

The recent financial crisis has put the economy and society of several European Union Member States under enormous pressure, at a time when the demand for social services is growing due to the ageing of societies. State budgets were decreased during the crisis, and considerable cuts in social services were made. This situation calls for the adoption of innovative, long-term social policy strategies and for modernized welfare systems, which foster more efficient, responsive and appropriate social services. However, though many initiatives have been launched and funds allocated, evidence on the results obtained is as yet lacking. This chapter presents the ongoing development of a methodological framework to analyze the economic and social return on investment of initiatives in social policies and services. Their key component is ICT-enabled social innovation, and they are defined as social policy innovations. This framework—called i-FRAME—proposes a novel approach that combines System Dynamics and Agent-Based Modelling Simulation in a hybrid model. The inspiration for this approach lies in different strands of the literature, such as the debate on the crisis of evidence-based policy-making, complexity theory and system thinking and is informed by a critical appraisal of traditional economic modelling approaches. After a brief overview of the policy context and research background, the chapter illustrates the method, sources and key findings of the literature and practice review, identifying the knowledge gaps. This helped us to develop the rationale underpinning the design of the i-FRAME modelling and the simulation approach proposed. The proposed innovative toolkit for policy modelling and informatics which underpins the i-FRAME is then outlined and its validity is discussed with an example of how the modelling approach was applied to the case of the Pathways Accommodation and Support System (PASS) initiative. This online system collects and provides access to real-time data on homelessness and bed occupancy across Ireland. The application of the i-FRAME to the case of PASS indicates that the approach proposed could be used in ex-ante, in-itinere, and ex-post simulation of the impact and the functioning of a given policy action involving ICTs as enablers in social services planning, design or provision. The chapter concludes with suggestions as to possible directions for further research and outlines the policy implications.

MISURACA Gianluca;  GEPPERT Luigi;  KUCSERA Csaba; 

2017-11-14

Springer International Publishing 151 AG 2018

JRC103877

978-3-319-61762-6,    978-3-319-61761-9,   

https://rd.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-61762-6_7,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC103877,   

10.1007/978-3-319-61762-6_7,