Social innovation practices in the regional tourism industry: case study of a cooperative in Brazil

Purpose This paper aims to analyze the main elements of the process of social innovation by using a case of a tourism cooperative created by an underprivileged community in Northeastern Brazil while assessing the applicability of the conceptual framework proposed by Centre de Recherche sur les Innovations Sociales (CRISES) in that context. Design/methodology/approach The case study was based mainly on content analysis of semi-structured interviews with cooperative managers and members, complemented by direct observation, analysis of documents and data from secondary sources. Findings The process of social innovation in the tourism cooperative presents distinctive characteristics that are not adequately captured by the dimensions that are proposed in the CRISES framework. Alternative frameworks may contribute additional perspectives to complement and expand the current approach to the analysis of social innovation in diverse contexts. Practical implications The study indicates the need for more appropriate territorially based metrics and assessment models for particular configurations and settings of social innovation, such as in this case. Originality/value The paper contributes to a better understanding of the diversity of social innovation possibilities and how extant analytical frameworks may be adapted and expanded to capture such diversity.