Bridging management and design assessment: exploring social innovation evaluation in Italian SMEs

This paper examines the role of design as a bridging factor across various fields of knowledge, specifically focusing on the evaluation of social innovation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Italy. The research aims to understand how a design-centered approach can facilitate organizational change, promote sustainability, and improve business competitiveness for SMEs. Through the integration of design with management, sustainability, and social sciences, the study analyzes current assessment methods and seeks to establish strategies based on design principles such as participatory design. It emphasizes the significance of design in driving social innovation and underscores the value of interdisciplinary cooperation in tackling modern business challenges. This paper emphasizes how design has the potential to transform practices towards more socially responsible and sustainable business approaches within the Italian business sector.