Abstract

Purpose
This paper aims to highlight different dynamics associated with social innovation and value creation, particularly by multinational corporations (MNCs) in the African context.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on a systematic literature review of 159 published studies.

Findings
The literature review revealed corruption, nepotism, a lack of transparency and accountability, lack of trust in African government and numerous policy voids as barriers to social innovation activities particularly by MNCs in the region. Multinational corporations as well as social activists face further challenges in balancing the conflicting value logics between different interest groups. Also, the weak educational system, the African thought system and management approaches being used in Africa tend to limit MNCs’ social innovation possibilities.

Originality/value
The current paper enriches Africa-focused social innovation literature, along with contributing to the debate on the influence of management thinking by establishing a link between the African thought system and the social innovation activities, particularly by MNCs in that context.