Social Innovation: Investing in Sustainable Development at Tesco

This report discusses the concept of social innovation, focusing on its role in addressing "wicked problems" like environmental degradation. It examines Tesco's sustainable development plan as a social innovation project designed to mitigate the company's environmental impact. The report analyzes the project's inputs, outputs, and potential impact using the Social Return on Investment (SROI) framework, evaluating its strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, the report provides a rationale for investing in such initiatives, highlighting the ethical and practical benefits of sustainable practices for future generations. The goal of the sustainable development project of the Tesco plc is to conserve the resources from getting waste and create the projects that are more energy and resources efficient. With the goal of sustainable development project of the company, alternate resources of power and energy can be utilized in order to reduce the pollution and also to protect the environment from harmful resources.

Applied project:
Investing in Social
Innovation

Executive Summary
The social innovation is an exercise of designing and implanting something that is for the well-
being and welfare the society and people living in it. Investment into the social innovation is
important and beneficial for the businesses running in modern world. The report aims to discuss
about the key wicked problem “environmental degradation”. In order to address the problem the
report has provided the social innovation of “sustainable development plan”. The report findings
are that social innovation is for good cause and investment decision is rationally correct and also
ethical for the future generation.

Table of Contents
Executive Summary.........................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Wicked problems.............................................................................................................................1
The social innovation addressing it..................................................................................................2
The measurement of SROI: What are the inputs, outputs and impact?...........................................4
Evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses.....................................................................................6
Whether you would invest or not with a sustained, evidence-based rationale................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
References:.......................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Social Innovation has become the part of the modern business world. The term refers to
the development and execution of the new solution that are product, process, a concept or
organisational change and purpose of this is to improve and enhance the welfare and well-being
of the society and its individuals (Deiglmeier et al., (2008). In the contemporary business
environment, business are thinking and juggling between to invest vs not invest decision into the
social innovation. Social innovation is essential to solve wicked problems of the society such as
unemployment, poverty, crime, etc. There are different ways to invest in an social Innovation
such as CSR, development of community through products and processes, marketing and
promotions etc. The present project report is based on the “Tesco” - a multinational grocery
retailer based in UK. The Tesco is the leading supermarket that is known for the quality of its
products. The report will assess the wicked problem, a social innovation project to resolve the
problem, its measurement and analysis of strengths and weaknesses.
Wicked problems
In the modern world, there is huge development of the entrepreneurial venture which has
represented as the major agent of the social changes (Chen, (2019). This engine of
entrepreneurship is considered blind as they are highly unaware of their activities and what
impact they create. There is one type of entrepreneurship that is social entrepreneurship that
thrive in areas where there are large number of social issues and problems. They tends to solve
the issues of society through the entrepreneurship activities or new products and processes of the
business. The one of the most wicked problem that Tesco is facing in the current 21st century is
the “environmental degradation”.
Environmental degradation : it is the wicked problem that refers to the deterioration of the
planet and environment by the diminution of the natural resources such as quality of water, air
and soil, the demolition of the ecosystem, extinction of flora and fauna, termination of the
habitats and most crucially pollution (Wolanski, (2019). With the emergence of large number of
businesses and industries the nature has been badly impacted with their actions either directly or
indirectly which has been resulting into the environmental degradation. Some of the major
causes of this wicked problem in the Tesco are modern urbanisation, industrialization,
deforestation, over population etc. the environmental degradation is seen undesirable as the
1

beauty of nature is fading and there will be no resources left for the future generation to consume
or experience. Tesco believes that wicked problem is impossible to solve completely therefore
has become the largest threat of the human to exist on planet in healthy and hearty manner.
Plants, water bodies, creatures all are the important for the ecological balance and due to the
environmental degradation the ecological balance disrupted badly causing many natural disasters
and other wicked problems. Tesco is operating at large scale and utilize the technology,
machineries, chemicals and other such materials that impact on environment which results in
environmental degradation. All the cause and implications of the environmental degradation are
unstoppable but can be controlled to some extent (Manisalidis et al., (2020). Therefore the Tesco
plc and government are taking initiatives to reduce the environmental degradation and promote a
agenda of healthy and beautiful planet for the today and future.
The social innovation addressing it
The social innovation is an exercise that is carried by the business for the welfare of the
community through innovation of the new product, operation, concept or organisational change.
There are many initiatives taken by the social community, businesses, civil society for the social
cause that has potential of solving the social problems and environmental problems (Schröer,
(2021). For Tesco plc to tap into the full potential and capability of the social innovation, this is
done by allowing the policy framework that support public, private and non-profit society by
constructing and executing socially innovative solutions which will continue to address the
wicked problems of the society. One of the wicked problem of the Tesco discussed above that is
environmental degradation can also be solved and addressed to some extent by using the project
of Social innovation (Oeji et al., (2019).
In order to address the wicked problem of “Environmental degradation” there are
different types of social innovation project of Tesco plc. The types of social innovation that
Tesco plc can use are: policy of recycle, reduce and reuse; sustainable development plan; plastic
free packaging, use of bio- degradable chemicals and materials for production and many more.
For the current report the social innovation project of the Tesco plc is “sustainable development
plan project”.
Sustainable development plan
Sustainable development plan project is concept which means utilization of resources in
such manner that it can be preserved for the future generation (Lagerkvist et al. (2020). The
2

Tesco plc has opt for the social innovation of sustainable development plan project as it prevents
environmental degradation and also allows the business to develop some sustainable goals.
Tesco plc through this project can address the problem of environmental degradation and can
also find solution to reduce the impact of their operation over the environment. The sustainable
development project aims at producing the objectives that make employees of the Tesco aware of
the principles of sustainability and environment management. With the help of sustainable
development plan project the Tesco plc can effectively recognise the connection of environment
and society with the development of the business. By this environment planning skills are
developed that helps in mitigating the impact of business operations on the environment which
helps in reduction of environmental degradation. By the sustainable development project the
resources can be allocated and managed effectively for their optimal utilization and also to save
the resources for the future generation. With the increasing urbanization and industries the huge
amount of water is consumed, air is polluted and soil is damaged. With the sustainable
development plan the water can be recycled and used repetitively which will saves the water and
also the dumping of water are filtration will secure the water bodies from dirt and chemicals. The
globalization can be part of sustainable development as with the growing technology everything
is more electrified and that reduce the consumption of fuel and gas energy (Mensah, (2019). This
protects the earth and nature from air pollution and is also sustainable for the environment
protecting the planet from degradation. Thus, the overall goal of the sustainable development
project of the Tesco plc is to conserve the resources from getting waste and create the projects
that are more energy and resources efficient. With the goal of sustainable development project of
the company, alternate resources of power and energy can be utilized in order to reduce the
pollution and also to protect the environment from harmful resources. This will build the
sustainability for the future by replanting resources, preventing natural resources, preserving the
wetlands all this will reduce the environment degradation and also address the issues and wicked
problem that can be controlled through sustainable development project (Allen et al., (2018) .
3

The measurement of SROI: What are the inputs, outputs and impact?
Situation
Needs and assets
The environment is the asset and is vital for human to survive. The resources of the nature are
the asset for today and future. Therefore there is high need of the sustainable development
project to Tesco plc to protect the environment (Gosselin et al (2020).
Symptoms vs Problems
There are symptoms of lack of resources, pollution, extinction of habitat etc. whereas the wicked
problem is the environment degradation.
The symptoms are the growing diseases where as the problem is increasing industries and
pollution.
Stakeholders engagement
The key stakeholders for the wicked problem of environment degradation are the public, civil
society, industrialists and business owners.
Priorities
Mission: the mission is to reduce the impact of business over the environment and to develop
the Tesco plc sustainable organisation with sustainable goals.
Vision: the vision is to make the Tesco plc completely sustainable and to must invest in social
innovation.
4

Values: saving the environment, environmental friendly production and optimal utilization
resources.
Resources: resources are the necessary supplies or entities required for the efficient execution of
social innovation. For the current social innovation resources are solar power, technology,
plantation, sustainable policies.
Local dynamics: Local people are not well versed with the social innovation or the concept of
wicked problems. Therefore, in terms of local dynamics the local people are not well aware
about the other resources to use. They must be informed about such change (Davies et al.,
(2020).
Collaboration: there are entities that are the supporters of the such events as they are equally
concerned for the environment safety they are known as collaboratives. for the successful
execution of sustainable development project of Tesco plc government bodies, environment
lovers, non- profit organisations, environmentalists, NGOs are the collaborative.
Competition: other companies planning for same social innovation with effective strategy for
the environmental safety and security.
What we invest
For the social innovation to be successful the business will invest into the following:
Time, staff, Money, Equipments, Technology, Research base, Materials, Partners.
What we do
develop sustainable strategies, develop new products, work with NGOs, gain training of
sustainability, transform or eliminate unsupportable resources, collect resources.
Who we reach
Customers, government bodies, stakeholders, environment protectors.
What are the short term results are
Increase plantation, reduce wastage of resources, motivate employees by knowing ethical acts of
business, aware citizens about environment safety, resolve small social issues.
What are the medium term results are
Pollution will be reduced, more greenery will prosper, plastic usage will be stopped, renewable
and clean energy will be consumed, CO2 emission will be reduced.
What ultimate impact is
5

Ultimately the social innovation will result into the control to the environmental degradation to
large extent. More sustainable processes and products will be used. Ecological balance will be
increased, nature's beauty will be renewed (Banke-Thomas et al., (2015).
Evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses
The sustainable development project of Tesco plc is to reduce the environmental
degradation is sustainable development plan. This sustainable development project has its own
strengths and weaknesses that are discussed below:
Strengths
 The sustainable development project will help in reducing the carbon emission which is
highly important in order to mitigate the wicked problem (Mosher-Williams, (2017).
Because the due to the industrialization and modernization there is high increase of
carbon emission with the sustainable development project of Tesco plc more better
technology and energy resource can be used that will reduce the CO2 emission.
 Under the sustainable development project of Tesco plc there is goal of making the water
and water bodies clean and sanitized. This is major strength as water is the most essential
resource of all without water a human cannot survive. For future generation there will
crystal clean water bodies to visit and experience the freshness and cleanliness of water.
 The another strength of the sustainable development project of Tesco plc is the increase
of affordable and clean energy. When the organisation invest in the sustainable
development plan they start using the affordable yet clean energy resources that has a
least impact on environment (Deiglmeier et al(2008). This automatically reduce the
environmental degrading and wicked problems arsing from it are also controlled.
 It protects the natural resources and avoid the wastage of resources. For the better lives of
future generation resources are highly important for their survival and standard lives. The
resources are also essential for today the social innovation helps in preventing the
scarcity of the resources for today's use.
 With the sustainable development project of Tesco plc there is elimination of the usage of
plastic which means their will no unnecessary dumping of non- biodegradable resources
on earth. This will improve the soil quality by which vegetation can be more productive
and healthy. This will also nurture the soil and beauty of greenery as the plants will be
grow more greener and fast and earth will be more beautiful planet for future generation.
6

 Thus, overall strength that the social innovation of sustainable development project of
Tesco plc holds is that this has full potential and power of making the environment
healthy and resourceful (Ozair & Singh (2021). Thus, the social innovation is completely
for the welfare of the people living and society and also for the future generation.
Weaknesses
 The sustainable development project of Tesco plc sometimes may reduce the growth of
the organisations as by more focusing on environment safety company might lose its
competencies. This may result in the lower productivity, sales and revenue. This will
indirectly impact the economic growth of the country which is considered as the negative
aspect.
 With this sustainable development project of Tesco plc, the business will be restricted to
the work under the boundaries of strategies developed as per the plan and also for this
company has make huge transitions in current machineries, energy resources etc. this
may incur high expenses over the business and also there will wastage of equipments and
other pre- stocked resources.
 With the sustainable development project of Tesco plc there are changes in the current
lifestyle, working environment and products quality etc. which is not easily acceptable to
the customers. This creates the wastage of the resources when the large stock of products
are stored in logistics (Sluijs et al., (2021).
 With the sustainable development natural resources that are biodegradable and are
suitable for the nature, environment are utilized all such resources are not only expensive
but also required huge investment to install in the daily basis. Due to this unemployment ,
poverty is generated as the every people cannot afford such expensive on daily basis.
Whether you would invest or not with a sustainable development project of
Tesco plc, evidence-based rationale
From the above understanding about the wicked problems and sustainable development
project of Tesco plc the decision is clear that investing into the social innovation is a healthy
choice for Tesco plc. This is because as the human on the planet it is the duty to protect and
preserve the environment and its resource. Also it is responsibility of today's generation to
protect the natural resources of the earth for the future generation to utilize, experience and
consume. The rationale behind decision of investing into the sustainable development project of
7

Tesco plc is that the business is important but harming environment in the cause of business is
not ethical and legal therefore for a business to grow sustainably the investment into social
innovation in the form of product, process or organisational change. Thus, therefore the rationale
justify the investment into sustainable development project of Tesco plc.
CONCLUSION
It is concluded from the above information that investment into the social innovation is
highly important for the current businesses in order to develop as an sustainable organisation. It
is analysed that there are several wicked problem occurring in the surrounding of the business
environment among which the environmental degradation is one the key problem. The problem
is caused to urbanisation, wastage of resources, industries etc. in order to address and resolve the
issue the social innovation of sustainable development plan is best option. It is analysed that the
measurement of the social innovation is high as the plan is efficient in addressing the wicked
problem and also holds the strengths that will allow the business to take favourable decision of
investing in social innovation.
References:
Books and Journals
8

Deiglmeier, K et al., (2008). Rediscovering Social Innovation. Stanford Social Innovation
Review, 6(4), 34–43. https://doi.org/10.48558/GBJY-GJ47
Schröer, A., (2021). Social Innovation in Education and Social Service Organizations.
Challenges, Actors, and Approaches to Foster Social Innovation. Front. Educ.
https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2020.555624
Oeji,P et al., (2019). Understanding social innovation as an innovation process: Applying the
innovation journey model. Journal of Business Research, 101(8), 243-254.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.04.028
van Niekerk, L., Manderson, L. & Balabanova, D. The application of social innovation in
healthcare: a scoping review. Infect Dis Poverty 10, 26 (2021).
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-021-00794-8
Chen, Z., (2019). Chapter 13-A Brief Overview of Ecological Degradation of the Nile Delta:
What We Can Learn. Coasts and Estuaries, Elsevier, 2019, 233-236.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-814003-1.00013-7.
Wolanski, E., (2019). Chapter 29 - Estuarine Ecohydrology Modeling: What Works and Within
What Limits?, Coasts and Estuaries, Elsevier, 2019, 503-521.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-814003-1.00029-0.
Manisalidis, I et al., (2020) Environmental and Health Impacts of Air Pollution: A Review.
Front. Public Health. 8:14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00014
Ripple, J.W et al., (2017). World Scientists’ Warning to Humanity: A Second Notice,
BioScience, 67(12), 1026–1028. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/bix125
Lagerkvist, C. J et al. (2020). Preferences for sustainable and responsible equity funds: A choice
experiment with Swedish private investors. Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance,
28, 100406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bef.2020.100406
Mensah, J., (2019). Sustainable development: Meaning, history, principles, pillars, and
implications for human action: Literature review. Cogent Social Sciences, 5(1).
https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2019.1653531
Allen, C et al., (2018). Prioritising SDG targets: Assessing baselines, gaps and
interlinkages. Sustainability Science, 14(2), 421–438. doi: 10.1007/s11625-018-0596-81
9

Gosselin, V et al (2020). Social return on investment (SROI) method to evaluate physical activity
and sport interventions: a systematic review. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 17, 26.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-020-00931-w
Banke-Thomas, A.O et al., (2015). Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology to account
for value for money of public health interventions: a systematic review. BMC Public
Health 15, 582. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-1935-7
Davies, L.E et al., (2020). Measuring the Social Return on Investment of community sport and
leisure facilities. Managing Sport and Leisure. 26(1-2).
https://doi.org/10.1080/23750472.2020.1794938
Mosher-Williams, R. (2017). The Strength of Social Enterprise. Stanford Social Innovation
Review, 16(1), B6–B12. https://doi.org/10.48558/SR8N-AB24
Deiglmeier, K et al(2008). Rediscovering Social Innovation. Stanford Social Innovation
Review, 6(4), 34–43. https://doi.org/10.48558/GBJY-GJ47
Ozair, A., & Singh, K.K., (2021). Delivering High-Quality, Equitable Care in India: An
Ethically-Resilient Framework for Healthcare Innovation After COVID-19. Front. Public
Health 9:640598. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.640598
Sluijs, T et al., (2021). An Innovative Approach for Decision-Making on Designing Lifestyle
Programs to Reduce Type 2 Diabetes on Dutch Population Level Using Dynamic Simulations.
Front. Public Health 9:652694. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.652694
10