Using PLS-SEM to Measure the Mediating Effect of Territory in the Relationship Between Social Innovation and Territorial Development

Abstract

This study aims to measure the mediating effect of territory in the relationship between social innovation and territorial development. To achieve this objective, we analyzed a sample of 126 social innovation initiatives distributed across the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region in Morocco, utilizing the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) methodology. Our research provides valuable insights into how territory plays a mediating role in facilitating the impact of social innovation initiatives on territorial development. Our analysis reveals that territory acts as a significant mediating factor between social innovation initiatives and territorial development. The results demonstrate that the effectiveness of social innovation initiatives in achieving territorial development is augmented when territorial efforts are prioritized and strategically implemented. This finding underscores the importance of considering territory as an integral component of social innovation initiatives for achieving impactful territorial development. Moreover, the research yields practical implications for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders involved in social innovation initiatives. Policymakers should recognize the pivotal role of territory as a mediator and support the integration of territorial considerations in social innovation programs to enhance their effectiveness. For practitioners, our findings highlight the significance of incorporating the dimension of 'territory' when designing and implementing social innovation initiatives. By acknowledging the mediating effect of territory, practitioners can enhance the sustainability and long-term impact of their initiatives. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing robust empirical evidence of the mediating effect of territory in the relationship between social innovation and territorial development. These novel insights advance our understanding of the interplay between social innovation initiatives and territorial outcomes, offering context-specific knowledge with broader implications for social innovation initiatives worldwide.

Keywords: social innovation; territory; territorial development; PLS-SEM.

JEL Classification: O15, O17, O31, Q01

Paper type: Empirical research