Social science is a term covering a number of different disciplines including politics, sociology, economics, law, and political economy. In terms of the SDC-initiative the social science theme is dominated by a cross-disciplinary approach. Two major themes have been selected to be the centre of concern for the social science group: Welfare and Innovation Management. During 2010 and 2011 several research projects and research networks within the two overall themes will be developed and furthermore, a MSc-degree program will be developed.

Welfare

A broad group of political economists, sociologists, economists, and political scientists focus on Comparing Welfare Regimes, Institutional Competitiveness, and Social Innovation. This theme is divided into five areas in which several research projects are emerging. The five areas are:

1. Welfare regimes, the organization of welfare, institutional competitiveness, and social innovation
2. The labour market and the tension between social security and economic efficiency
3. Welfare reforms and the mixed economy of welfare
4. Business regimes and social innovation
5. Building national competitiveness through public sector regimes

 Innovation Management

The theme Innovation Management is approached cross-disciplinary and focuses on three areas:

1. Innovation Systems
2. Innovation Related to Business Systems in a Cross-Cultural Perspective
3. Company Level Innovation and Innovation Management

by Danish Principal Coordinator, Lars Bo Kaspersen (Copenhagen University)