Examples context dataset

Example of a context description of a dataset

Based on the dataset by E. Hense, https://easy.dans.knaw.nl/ui/datasets/id/easy-dataset:59858

Dataset: Spirituality and Societal Innovation in the Netherlands  By  Dr. E.H. Hense

Summary
By taking their personal appropriation of a societal problem as their point of departure and by putting their own creativity to use, social innovators in the Netherlands contribute towards rearranging the structure of society in relation to food, care and finance. In doing so, these innovators, who are the subjects of our study, aim to improve the quality of life both for themselves and for others and to contribute towards meaningfulness, human dignity, spiritual depth and welfare. Who are the people that are involved in these initiatives, what exactly is it that they do, in what way do they act and what are the results of their actions? Each of the initiatives will be researched in detail with these questions in mind.

Keywords

Societal innovation, spirituality, food, care, finance, quality of life, values, care of the self.

Structure of the research

Nine examples of societal innovation have been selected based on the following criteria:

  • -  Projects have a certain (local, national, or international) appeal
  • -  Projects have been going on for some time and are fairly ‘robust’
  • -  Projects represent a variety of fields within sectors food, care and finance
  • -  Projects provide starting points for further research into societal spirituality
  • -  Four/five projects are being led by men, four/five projects are being led by women
  • - Three projects are aimed at food in the Netherlands
  • -  Three projects are aimed at care in the Netherlands
  • -  Three projects are aimed at finance in the Netherlands

Interviewees have been selected based on the following criterion:

- Closely involved in the project (initiator, current project leader or crucial participant)

The interviews were held in the form of open conversations as to who, what, how and why (no questionnaires).

Analysis

Who are involved in these initiatives?

The research distinguishes between initiators, collaborators, supporters, target groups, critics and sympathizers. Who are these people, what is their (geographical, cultural or professional) background and how are they interrelated?

What exactly do they do?

The research summarizes what configuration of values is found to be leading for an initiative aiming at societal innovation and what approach is taken to implement that specific configuration of values. A brief summary then describes the central means by which the initiative strives to promote its configuration of values. And lastly, an indication is given of economical aspects and their importance in shaping the configuration of values.

How do they do it?

The research describes in what way an initiative towards societal innovation takes on shape. We will be looking at (exemplary) behaviour, attitudes and practices that bring about the desired configuration of values. We will also be looking at instances of reflection by others or self reflection: what considerations play a part in defining quality of life, and what role do arguments and emotions play in the taking of decisions that are intended to improve the quality of life? Ultimately, it is all about instances of ‘care of the self’: what kinds of coaching, support, introspection and asceticism can keep the societal innovators on their track?

Where does it all lead?

We provide a description of the ways in which an initiative aiming at societal innovation contributes towards the quality of life (‘fullness of life’) and in what ways, revolving around the themes of food, care and finance, a fuller, more dignified, more meaningful and richer life can be achieved for all of those involved.

Anonymisation

None of the initiators choose to have the data anonymised.

Reference
Hense, E. (2015) Vernieuwingsinitiatieven rond eten, zorg en geld in Nederland – een kwestie van spiritualiteit. [forthcoming]