A Network Map Analysis
The Macon Inclusive Innovation Ecosystem Dashboard, developed in partnership with Macon Black Tech and Orange Sparkle Ball, provides a comprehensive view of the connections and flow of information between organizations in Macon-Bibb. This dashboard aims to inform and engage the Macon community, highlighting the relationships that drive innovation and progress.
The Project
As part of The Opportunity Project (TOP) x National League of Cities Sprint hosted by the US Census, Orange Sparkle Ball partnered with Macon Black Tech to map the innovation ecosystem in Macon, Georgia. This project aimed to understand the network's connectivity, identify key innovation behaviors, and integrate open-source Census data to gain deeper insights. The goal was to design precision interventions to support further ecosystem development. Surveys conducted across Macon-Bibb helped formulate insights to improve connectivity, collaboration, and progress within the innovation ecosystem.
Navigating the Network Map
The dashboard displays organizations within Macon’s inclusive innovation ecosystem in a traditional network mapping style. The size of each organization represents its centrality, or betweenness centrality, indicating how often it acts as a connector between other organizations. The thickness of connecting lines signifies the strength of relationships, ranging from awareness to active working relationships. Colors indicate the sector in which each organization primarily operates.
Explanation of Key Terms
Organization Size: Larger nodes represent more central organizations, frequently acting as connectors in the network.
Connection Strength: The thickness of lines indicates relationship strength:
0 (No line): Organizations are unaware of each other.
1-2: Organizations are aware of each other but not working together.
3-5: Organizations have an active working relationship.
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Color: The sector of each organization is indicated by its color, providing a quick visual reference to the type of participant.
How Does This Impact Our Network?
Understanding the dynamics and connections within the Macon Inclusive Innovation Ecosystem is crucial for both individual organizations and the broader community. The network analysis provides valuable insights that can help members reflect on their roles and interactions, and assist ecosystem builders in fostering new connections and strengthening the overall network.
For Members of the Network:
Find your organization in the list.
Observe the length and color breakdown of your bar.
Reflect on your interactions within the network.
For Ecosystem Builders:
Analyze organizational connectivity profiles.
Consider how new connections can be intentionally fostered.
Actionable Insights
The network analysis offers several insights:
Engagement Awareness: Organizations like Macon Black Tech have active community relationships but limited broader awareness. Increasing ecosystem-wide awareness is crucial.
Centrality and Influence: Mercer University holds the highest betweenness centrality score, suggesting its potential to benefit the broader community despite having fewer overall connections.
Sector Representation: Entrepreneurial and Innovation Support Organizations, though only 10% of the network, represent 30% of the top 10 central organizations. Conversely, sectors like Healthcare and Mental Healthcare are underrepresented in central positions.
Ecosystem Descriptive Data
The network analysis aims to understand how relationships within the ecosystem drive innovation. It collects data on engagement frequency, sector roles, and innovation readiness to highlight strengths and areas for improvement.
Inclusivity Rating: Participants rated the inclusivity of the Macon Innovation Ecosystem at 3.5 out of 5.
Support for Innovation: 62.5% of respondents said that connections with local change-makers are the most supportive factor in their work.
This information helps pinpoint where the network is strong and where it can grow, guiding efforts to make the ecosystem even more inclusive and supportive of innovation.
Defining Innovation in Macon-Bibb
The Macon Inclusive Innovation Ecosystem is a diverse network, encompassing a wide array of change makers who contribute to the region’s growth and development. These innovators come from various sectors, each bringing unique perspectives and expertise to the table. Understanding the roles and contributions of these different groups is essential for fostering a collaborative and dynamic environment. Here’s a closer look at the key players within the Macon-Bibb innovation ecosystem:
The ecosystem includes diverse innovators such as:
Entrepreneurs and Business Owners: Introducing new products or services.
Nonprofit Leaders: Driving social change through community programs.
Educators and Academics: Innovating in curriculum and teaching methods.
Local Government Officials: Focusing on policy-making and urban development.
Healthcare Professionals: Advancing medical innovation and community health.
Artists and Cultural Leaders: Enriching the community through cultural innovation.
Technology Developers and IT Professionals: Developing new technologies.
Community Activists and Advocates: Pushing for societal reforms.
Youth Leaders: Leading peer-driven initiatives.
Social Entrepreneurs: Addressing social and environmental issues.
Research Scientists and Innovators: Leading to new discoveries.
Board Members: Guiding strategic directions and innovations.
and more...
Applying Social Network Analysis
Social network analysis (SNA) is a powerful tool that provides deep insights into the structure and dynamics of the Macon Inclusive Innovation Ecosystem. By examining the connections and flow of information within the network, SNA helps uncover critical areas for improvement and potential opportunities for fostering innovation. Here’s how social network analysis can be applied to enhance the ecosystem:
Boosting Community Resilience: SNA helps understand community resilience by mapping network data to demographic, economic, or public health data. This analysis reveals relationships between these indicators and organizational positions, allowing for targeted strategies to bolster the community's ability to adapt and thrive amidst challenges.
Innovation as a Nurturing Force: A holistic view of the network through SNA identifies gaps and under-engaged organizations. This enables the design of precision interventions to draw these entities into the community, strengthening relationships and fostering a more robust innovation environment.
Strengthening Community Ties: Pinpointing key players and influencers within the network through SNA fosters engagement and collaboration. By understanding the flow of information and resources, strategies can be developed to create a cohesive and supportive innovation environment, enhancing overall network efficiency.
Defining Cultural Connection to Innovation: SNA reveals how local culture influences innovation strategies, helping tailor initiatives that resonate with community values and historical contexts. This cultural insight ensures that innovation efforts are sustainable and widely accepted within the community.
By applying social network analysis, the Macon-Bibb community members can identify key areas for growth, foster stronger connections, and create a more resilient and innovative community.
Challenges to Change-Making Behavior in the Network
While the Macon Inclusive Innovation Ecosystem Dashboard highlights the strengths and connections within the network, it also sheds light on significant challenges faced by change-makers. These barriers often impede progress and innovation within the ecosystem.
Key Challenges Identified
Despite the strengths and opportunities within the Macon Inclusive Innovation Ecosystem, several significant challenges hinder progress and innovation. Understanding these barriers is crucial for developing effective strategies to overcome them and support the growth of the ecosystem. Here are the primary challenges identified through the network analysis:
Financial Constraints: The most commonly reported barrier, affecting 78% of respondents, is financial constraints. Limited access to funding restricts the ability of organizations to implement new ideas, expand projects, and sustain operations. This financial strain hampers the overall growth and development of innovative initiatives.
Lack of Resources: Nearly half (47%) of the respondents indicated that a lack of resources is a major challenge. Resources can encompass a variety of needs, including technology, personnel, and infrastructure. Without adequate resources, organizations struggle to support their projects and drive innovation.
Time Constraints: Time management and availability were reported as significant barriers by 45% of respondents. The demands of day-to-day operations often leave little room for strategic planning and the pursuit of new initiatives. This constraint limits the ability to explore and implement innovative solutions.
Innovation Behaviors in the Network
Survey participants were also asked about the frequency of their innovation-related activities. These behaviors provide insight into how often and in what ways organizations engage in innovation within the network.
Frequency of Innovation Behaviors:
Pitching for Internal Funding: Regularly seeking internal funding to support new ideas.
Pitching for External Funding: Efforts to secure external funding were highlighted as a common innovative behavior.
Researching New Projects: Engaging in research to explore and develop new projects.
Pitching New Ideas: Bringing forward new ideas for consideration within the organization.
Meeting Innovators Outside the Organization: Connecting with innovators outside of one's organization to exchange ideas and foster collaboration.
Introducing New Strategies and Processes: Bringing up new ideas, strategies, and processes during meetings.
Most Traction in Innovation Behaviors
The survey revealed specific innovative behaviors that garnered the most traction among participants:
Interacting with Local Change-Makers: The highest level of engagement was observed in interactions with local change-makers. This behavior underscores the importance of community connections and collaborations in driving innovation.
Bringing Up New Ideas in Meetings: Many respondents frequently introduced new ideas during meetings, indicating a proactive approach to internal innovation and improvement.
Pitching for External Funding: A significant number of participants regularly pitched for external funding, reflecting the ongoing efforts to secure financial support for innovative projects.
What’s Next?
We are actively pursuing opportunities to further refine this work and ensure it is actionable for the community. Our goal is to continually enhance the Macon Inclusive Innovation Ecosystem Dashboard and its applications, making it a pivotal tool for driving innovation and connectivity in Macon.
Expanding the Work: Expanding this initiative is crucial for maintaining momentum and fostering deeper community engagement. By incorporating more organizations and sectors into the network, we can develop a richer, more comprehensive understanding of the innovation landscape. This expansion will help identify new opportunities for collaboration, support underserved populations, and strengthen the overall ecosystem.
Get Involved: If you are interested in participating or becoming a partner in these initiatives, we encourage you to reach out.
Contact:
Christele : info@maconblacktech.com
Together, we can build a more connected, resilient, and innovative community in Macon. Your participation and support are vital to the ongoing success of this project. Let’s work together to create a brighter future for all.
Macon Black Tech is a community organization creating an equitable path for early-stage founders in the Middle GA area looking to build tech-enabled solutions for community challenges.
Orange Sparkle Ball is an innovation and impact accelerator that works at the intersection of research, technology, human-centered design, and organizational goals. They create innovation programs, run data-driven pilots, develop communication strategies, and build environments to support progress toward key performance indicators (KPIs). Their experience spans government, industry, technology startups, public/private partnerships, and academia, allowing them to offer a full ecosystem approach to customized solutions.
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