This book explores how public organizations and not-for-profit organizations (NPO) can be more collaborative, innovative and effective in solving social issues in both developing and developed countries. "Social innovation," led by social entrepreneurs and/or social enterprises, emerged in the late 1990s, and spread in 2000s. As the West faced management failures, demand increased for corporations to take on more social responsibility. Based on intensive research on social innovation processes at the municipal and the community level in Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan, the book analyses the factors that affected the most effective and efficient social innovations.

This book presents a new paradigm of innovative governments in Asia, at the municipal, regional and national levels, based on the knowledge creation theory in management, and leading to organizational transformation and policy reform in public administration. Focusing on Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan, the book is based on the findings of a joint research project established to identify the factors that impact the effectiveness or performance of public administration by applying the knowledge-based management theory that originates in private sectors to public sector management.