Social Innovation in Brazil Through Design Strategy

The world is filled with pressing social challenges that cry out for solution. On one side are issues related to natural resources, such as global climate change and adequate food supplies. On the other are problems with service systems, exemplified by issues with the cost and quality of healthcare as well as diccifulties with transportation and improvements in education. Studying the social innovation phenomena through the point of view of design, the DESIS Group at the Rio de Janeiro Federal University/ COPPE explores the role of design strategy to promote and support sustainable change in Brazil - socially, economically, environmentally, and institutionally.

This article presents and analyzes four projects developed in Brazil under such an approach, and discusses the theoretical framework supporting these projects.

To read full article, please visit website of Design Management Journal (Volume 6, Issue 1, pages 40–51, October 2011) http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1948-7177.2011.00020.x/abst...