While the body of research on grand challenges (GCs) has grown, our understanding of the role of corporate social innovation (CSI) in tackling exigent GCs, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, is limited. Based on in-depth analyses of four cases of CSI in the services sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, this paper contributes to the GC literature by developing a 3Es framework of the CSI process (i.e., embeddedness, engagement, and enhancement) to illustrate the mechanisms through which exigent GCs can be effectively addressed by firms in the services sector. First, CSI embeddedness in intersectoral partnerships with international organizations based on deep-rooted trust and collective commitment is found to be a fundamental mechanism for efficiently addressing the COVID-19 crisis. Second, CSI engagement through the transformation of existing technology and/or the adaption of existing products/services is found to be an important mechanism for meeting pandemic-induced social needs. Specifically, it is found that leading-edge technologies such as digital platforms can be rapidly repurposed to enable loosely coupled systems that evolve as a new channel to bring together various stakeholders and thus address this urgent GC. Finally, CSI enhancement supported by managerial agility and participatory governance structure plays a crucial role in enabling CSI to function effectively in the context of exigent GCs.

中文翻译：

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通过企业社会创新应对紧迫的重大挑战：来自 COVID-19 大流行的证据

尽管有关重大挑战 (GC) 的研究不断增多，但我们对企业社会创新 (CSI) 在应对紧急挑战（例如 COVID-19 大流行）方面的作用的理解仍然有限。基于对 COVID-19 大流行期间服务业 CSI 的四个案例的深入分析，本文通过开发 CSI 流程的 3E 框架（即嵌入性、参与性和增强性）来说明 GC 文献服务业企业可以有效解决紧急GC问题的机制。首先，CSI 嵌入与基于根深蒂固的信任和集体承诺的国际组织的跨部门伙伴关系，是有效应对 COVID-19 危机的基本机制。其次，通过改造现有技术和/或调整现有产品/服务来参与CSI是满足大流行引起的社会需求的重要机制。具体来说，我们发现数字平台等前沿技术可以快速重新利用，以实现松散耦合的系统，这些系统可以作为新的渠道将不同的利益相关者聚集在一起，从而解决这一紧迫的GC问题。最后，管理敏捷性和参与式治理结构支持的 CSI 增强对于使 CSI 在紧急的 GC 背景下有效发挥作用发挥着至关重要的作用。