The book “Creativity and Innovation Affairs: Are they or are they not…?” is dedicated to clarify ambiguous concepts from the world of creativity and innovation. One of the initial triggers for the development of the book was the perceived ambiguity of the binomials Design vs. Design Thinking and Innovation vs. Invention. Frequently, designers and innovation consultants are questioned by their clients about the relationships between these kind of concepts. Has the second emerged through the first, or vice-verse? Is one part of the other? Where are the similarities and which are the differences? This conceptual incomprehension makes itself noticeable between many ambiguous concepts in the world of innovation and creativity. What is the difference between Radical and Disruptive Innovation? Or is Social Innovation the same as Social Intervention? And regarding Creativity, are Creativity and Creative Thinking the same? In this book the reader will find answers to these kinds of questions and doubts. 28 authors from 10 different countries and cultural backgrounds are questioning current definitions and perceptions, by comparing different sources and ideas, or simply by giving their personal opinions. Some of the authors have an academic background, others a practical one, being either entrepreneurs, working with innovation in companies, or being innovation/design consultants.

The study is illustrative and theoretical in nature, as it was based on a review of the available literature on the subject (Polish and foreign). The publication is addressed to both scholars and students dealing with the subjects of population ageing, old age, and older adults, as well as to a growing group of practitioners interested in these issues, including politicians and decision-makers as well as representatives of public services, the media, and non-governmental organizations.

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Population ageing, total population growth, international migration and urbanization are four global demographic trends that are directly reflected in the functioning and directions of development at all organizational levels – from global and international, to from national to regional and local.
The identified changes in the age structure constitute a significant challenge for all societies. This is why this process is of particular interest to a variety of social, political, and scientific groups, which, through the public debate that has been going on for at least several decades, are trying to explain and respond to the observed changes. However, the interpretation of this increased attention can take on a strongly dichotomous character. This is because, on the one hand, thanks to the widespread interest in the ageing process, its descriptions gain an interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary perspective. As a result, the ageing process ceases to keep secrets from us, and the accumulated knowledge grows, supplementing the existing image of this process with new, previously unknown faces. On the other hand, however, the fact that the ageing process remains the object of the increased interest of representatives of many scientific disciplines who use their conceptual apparatus results in the emergence of a multidimensional but not always a coherent image of the analysed fragments of social reality. This common interest contributes to a significant stratification of the definition and interpretation sphere used in descriptions and attempts to explain the issues raised.
Therefore, an essential task for the world of science is to properly delimit and configure (systematize) the accumulated knowledge, which should serve the development of the possibility of its application in practice. Hence, the idea to prepare the presented volume, the main research objective of which is to attempt to compile selected concepts, models, and theories functioning in the scientific circulation in the thematic area identified with the activity and activation of older people and the public policy towards of an ageing population. The study is illustrative and theoretical, as it is based on a literature review on the subject (Polish and foreign), a review of expert opinions and analyses prepared at the request of national and international institutions, as well as legal acts and other documents, the records of which turned out to be helpful in the conducted analyses.
The content of this volume corresponds to the three research questions posed. Firstly, by making a general description of the population ageing (pointing to its main determinants and the observed dynamics), an attempt has been made to identify the most critical consequences and challenges related to the observed changes in the age structure on a global scale and in individual societies. Secondly, efforts have been made to identify the fundamental differences in meaning and the resulting implications of using various concepts concerning the description and stimulation of activity, productivity, and social integration of people of immobile working age and older age. Thirdly, the focus has been placed on determining what the recommendations for public policy are with regard to population ageing due to the presence in the scientific and expert circulation of many interpretations of changes related to the emergence of post-industrial social policy. The structure of the presented study finally consists of parts – chapters – prepared in such a way that, on the one hand, they constitute a coherent set verifying and systematizing the concepts and interpretations of issues present in the literature, and on the other hand, they clearly show the reader, in line with the authors’ acceptance, one of the possible critical paths of analysis.
The first chapter is a kind of introduction to the discussed issues because its task is to familiarize the reader with the interpretations of basic concepts functioning in the literature, such as ageing, old age, and longevity, but also to serve as a reference to the category of immobile people in working age or older people in the perspective of the life cycle. The theoretical, conceptual framework identified in this way, associated with the population ageing process, was supplemented with the presentation of demographic data aggregated at various levels of generality, which refer to selected indicators and measures used in the statistical analysis of the process discussed. In this way, the desired effect of multidimensionality has been obtained, both in terms of theoretical considerations and in terms of the presentation of statistical distribution reflecting the specificity of the dynamics of the ageing visible in the European Union (EU) and Poland.
The second chapter is entirely focused on defining the concepts of activity, activation, productivity, as well as social and professional integration of people in the age of immobility and older adults. Therefore, the reader will find in it a critical literature review, which also gives a chance to receive information about the connections between the issues mentioned. Their significant supplementation is also a reference to the concept of productivity of older people and the observed interpretation changes of this issue, manifested in the qualitative expansion of the thematic planes that make up its conceptual framework.
In the third chapter, the authors attempt to present the differentiation of the concept of public policy on ageing. Therefore, the reader can become familiar with the interpretations of the impact of demographic changes and other conditions on post-industrial social policy present in the literature on the subject. So, here the authors focus, among others, on the concepts of active, coherent, and investment social policy implemented in the context of the ageing process, but also references to selected concepts of stimulating social and professional activation of people in immobile age and older adults. This is primarily about the social aspect of productivity, the analyses of which, especially at the beginning of the 21st century, contributed to a kind of restitution, an almost forgotten concept of co-production. Relating the conceptual considerations in the literature concerning this phenomenon occurring and developing within public services to the issue of the population ageing, the authors also present a silver (senior) adaptation of co-production. The whole publication concludes with an analysis of the concept of preparation for longevity and the potential application of behavioral economics tools in public policy on longevity.
The publication is addressed both to scientists and students focused on the topic of population ageing, old age, and older people, as well as to a growing group of practitioners interested in these issues, including politicians and decision-makers, representatives of public services, representatives of the media and non-governmental organizations. The authors hope that the presented results of the conducted query will prove helpful for the reader both in defining the conceptual framework of the issues under consideration and in attempts to adapt and implement the assumptions of the concepts cited in the realities of the social life of specific communities. Thus, the added value of the presented volume will be the systemic valorization of old age, which-similarly to the earlier phases in human life-should serve further development and self-realization.

Abstract

This book shows that global population ageing is an opportunity to improve the quality of human life rather than a threat to economic competitiveness and stability. It describes the concept of the creative ageing policy as a mix of the silver economy, the creative economy, and the social and solidarity economy for older people. The second volume of Economic Foundations for Creative Ageing Policy focuses on the public policy and management concepts related to the use of the opportunities that are created by population ageing. Klimczuk covers theoretical analyses and case study descriptions of good practices to suggest strategies that could be internationally popularized. Each chapter includes exercises and assignments for both students and those who are likely to apply the presented concepts in practice.
Contents:
Foreword by Richard Adler
Foreword by Dominic Campbell
Introduction
1 The Politics of Ageing and the Challenges of Ageing Populations
2 Understanding Public Policy on Ageing
3 Sociological and Gerontological Perspectives on Ageing, Creativity, and the Third Age
4 Diversity of Ageing Policy Concepts
5 The Emergence of the Creative Ageing Movement
6 Aims and Challenges of the Creative Ageing Policy
7 Principles, Governance, and Coproduction of the Creative Ageing Policy
8 Organizational Forms and Management for the Building of Creative Capital of Older People
Conclusion
Afterword by Andreas Hoff and Kurt Lüscher
Afterword by Suchandrima Chakraborty
Afterword by Jorge Felix

The members of the International Network for the Analysis of Intergenerational Relations (Generationes) proudly present the most recent issue of the jointly produced compendium “Generations, Intergenerational Relations and Generational Policy”.

This new version includes seven languages (English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish (New) and Portuguese (New)). Its layout is designed for using it to translate the specific concepts and terminology of research into generations and intergenerational relations from one language into another.

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Członkowie Międzynarodowej Sieci Relacji Międzypokoleniowych (Generationes) z dumą prezentują najnowsze wydanie wspólnie opracowanego kompendium “Pokolenia, relacje międzypokoleniowe, polityka relacji międzypokoleniowych”.

Nowa wersja zawiera siedem języków (angielski, francuski, niemiecki, włoski, hiszpański, polski (nowy) i portugalski (nowy)). Układ kompendium został zaprojektowany tak, aby pozwalało na stosowanie go do tłumaczenia konkretnych pojęć i terminologii badań nad pokoleniami i relacjami międzypokoleniowymi z jednego języka na inny.

Abstract

Ageing populations are a major consideration for socio-economic development in the early twenty first century. This demographic change is mainly seen as a threat rather than as an opportunity to improve the quality of human life, especially in Europe, where ageing has resulted in a reduction in economic competitiveness. Economic Foundations for Creative Ageing Policy mixes the silver economy, the creative economy, and the social economy to construct positive solutions for an ageing population. Klimczuk covers theoretical analyses and case study descriptions of good practices to suggest strategies that could be internationally popularized.
Contents:
Foreword by Harry R. Moody
Foreword by Kathrin Komp
Introduction
1. Old Age as a Stage in the Life Course and the Life Cycle
2. Forms of Older People’s Capital
3. Creativity and Ageing: Concepts and Controversies
4. Mixed Economy and Multisectoral Approach to Population Ageing
5. Silver, Creative, and Social Economies as Positive Responses to Population Ageing
6. Benefits at the Interface Between Economic Systems
Conclusion
Afterword by Lukasz Tomczyk

Abstract

A publication called Aging in the Social Space is a compilation of studies, which deal with theoretical understanding and empirical solutions, learning about problem spheres, specifying content parallels of social, legal, economic, moral and ethical views on senior issues in society, which are closely related to each other and are interconnected.
This publication focus on the case study of Poland. It is supposed to provide a multidimensional view of old age issues and issues related to aging and care for old people in society. We believe that it is natural also to name individual spheres, in which society has some eff ect, either direct or indirect, within issues concerning seniors. Learning about these spheres is the primary prerequisite for successful use of social help to seniors in society.

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“The work elaborates a very important topic of our time, this is of an aging population, which many countries with their established social, political, legislative, health and other systems are not prepared for. The authors compared the global data on the aging of the population with information relating to the aging of the population in Poland.

This publication consists of two large chapters with subheadings. In the first part the authors describe the elderly in social area and in the second part of a social policy relating to older people. The first part explains the different concepts and presents a new paradigm, which refers to the phenomenon of active aging. The second part presents the analysis of the aging population in selected major cities and presents documents and strategies necessary for further development of the quality of life of elderly people. The case studies technique enables the authors the identification of a number of factors and in-depth analysis of researched topics for each city. Theoretical bases complement to the research findings of other authors and adds their findings.”

Doc. dr Bojana Filej, the Alma Mater Europaea – European Center, Maribor, Slovenia

“The publication, in my humble opinion, can be dedicated primarily to researchers of social gerontology topics, primarily students from the humanities and social sciences. Given the systematic increase in the number of people from abroad studying in Poland (including the Erasmus program) this book can also be used as teaching material to courses on subjects such as: geragogics, social gerontology, social pedagogy and sociology .”

Prof. dr hab. Jan Maciejewski, the University of Wrocław, Poland

Abstract

“Kapitał społeczny ludzi starych na przykładzie mieszkańców miasta Białystok” to książka oparta na analizach teoretycznych i empirycznych, która przedstawia problem diagnozowania i używania kapitału społecznego ludzi starych w procesach rozwoju lokalnego i regionalnego. Kwestia ta jest istotna ze względu na zagrożenia i wyzwania związane z procesem szybkiego starzenia się społeczeństwa polskiego na początku XXI wieku. Opracowanie stanowi próbę sformułowania odpowiedzi na pytania: jaki jest stan kapitału społecznego ludzi starych mieszkających w Białymstoku, jakim ulega przemianom i jakie jest jego zróżnicowanie?
Ludzie starzy są tu postrzegani jako kategoria społeczna, czyli zbiór osób podobnych do siebie pod względem społecznie istotnych cech (takich jak wiek, posiadane role społeczne i świadomość korzystania ze świadczeń społecznych), którzy są świadomi tego podobieństwa i swojej odrębności od innych. Przyjmuje się ponadto, iż osoby takie przekroczyły 60. rok życia. Zakłada się też, że w zasobach ludzkich skumulowany jest kapitał ludzki, społeczny i kulturowy. Kapitał społeczny jest tu ujmowany szeroko jako potencjał współdziałania osadzony w powiązaniach międzyludzkich i normach społecznych, który może przynosić korzyści osobom, grupom i społeczeństwom.
W części teoretycznej przedstawiono informacje o starości jako etapie w życiu jednostki, wyjaśniono pojęcie ludzi starych, omówiono społeczne teorie starzenia się, historyczne czynniki oddziaływające na położenie kategorii społecznej ludzi starych, zmiany ich miejsca w społeczeństwie polskim w trakcie transformacji ustrojowej i na początku XXI wieku, możliwe konsekwencje wzrostu długości życia w warunkach demokracji i kapitalizmu oraz charakterystykę problemu starzenia się ludności Białegostoku jako miasta pogranicza. Zaprezentowano też różnorodne koncepcje kapitału społecznego, sfery jego oddziaływania na rozwój społeczno-gospodarczy, jego stan w Polsce oraz wytyczne do strategicznego budowania jego zasobów. Przybliżono również wybrane informacje o aktywności ludzi starych w życiu publicznym, społecznym i gospodarczym jako kluczowych cechach ich kapitału społecznego. Porządkując różne stanowiska teoretyczne, wyniki badań i dane statystyczne, dążono do powiązania wielu rozproszonych źródeł w przekonaniu, iż jest to istotne w celu określenia i zagospodarowania zasobów kapitału społecznego seniorów, jak również niwelacji opóźnienia polskiej socjologii w zakresie badań nad ludźmi starymi. Pomimo, iż za podstawową perspektywę teoretyczną publikacji uznana została koncepcja kapitału P. Bourdieu, autor bierze również pod uwagę propozycje badawcze J.S. Colemana, R.D. Putnama, F. Fukuyamy, A. Giddensa, P. Sztompki i A. Sadowskiego.
Drugi rozdział zawiera określenie ram metodologicznych badań przeprowadzonych na potrzeby tej publikacji. Omówiono przyjęte założenia badawcze oraz przybliżono sposób i przebieg realizacji badań. Przede wszystkim zdecydowano się na korzystanie z metody jakościowej i zastosowanie techniki wywiadu swobodnego ukierunkowanego. Uznano, iż podmiotowy kontakt z ludźmi starymi umożliwi dokładniejsze rozpoznanie kontekstu, w którym znajdują się zasoby ich kapitału społecznego. Jest to ważne, gdyż przenoszenie na rodzimy grunt opracowanych za granicą interpretacji działań ludzi starych i rozwiązań aktywizujących, może okazać się nieskuteczne lub wywołać negatywne efekty zewnętrzne. Ponadto w literaturze przedmiotu zwraca się uwagę na niedostatek badań gerontologicznych zgodnych z paradygmatem interpretatywnym. Badaniu poddano 26 respondentów w wieku od 60 do 89 lat żyjących w mieście Białystok związanych z jedną z dwóch różnych instytucji: Domem Pomocy Społecznej i Uniwersytetem Trzeciego Wieku. Poprzez porównywanie osób znajdujących się na dwóch biegunach aktywności społecznej możliwe było dostrzeżenie podobieństw i różnic w ich wyposażeniu kapitałowym, a zarazem w osiągniętych w ciągu życia pozycjach w strukturze klasowej i zasobach służących pomyślnej starości6.
W trzecim rozdziale przedstawiona została część wyników analiz empirycznych. Przybliżono tu sposób, w jaki ludzie starzy myślą o podobnych sobie przodkach i osobach współczesnych, a także czynniki, w zależności od których zmienia się ich pozycja społeczna w mieście oraz problemy społeczne, jakie uznają za najważniejsze dla ludzi starych. Analizie poddano opinie o ich czasie wolnym, szansach i barierach aktywności ekonomicznej. Wyróżniono typy kapitału społecznego ludzi starych w zależności od instytucji, z którymi są związani oraz podejścia do postrzegania i wykorzystywania zróżnicowania wewnętrznego seniorów. Omówiono wizerunek seniorów w środkach masowego przekazu.
Publikacja nie zawiera ścisłego zakończenia. W ostatnim rozdziale wskazano jedynie na główne wnioski płynące z badań oraz na potencjalne dalsze kierunki analiz. Uzupełnienie tego podejścia stanowią zamieszczone w aneksie zestawienia oddolnych technik budowania kapitału społecznego oraz podstawowych cech Miast Przyjaznych Starszemu Wiekowi. Z opracowania tego z pewnością będą mogli skorzystać nie tylko naukowcy zajmujący się tematyką ludzi starych, ale i pracownicy socjalni, politycy, pracodawcy, przedstawiciele mediów i organizacji pozarządowych oraz obywatele Białegostoku i innych miast.
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“Social Capital of Old People on the Example of Bialystok Residents” is a book based on theoretical and empirical study, which presents an issue of diagnosing and using of old people social capital in the local and regional development processes. This issue is significant because of the threats and challenges associated with process of rapid ageing of Polish society at the beginning of 21st century. Publication, in particular, is an attempt to give answers to the following questions: what is the state of old people social capital in Bialystok, what transformations it undergoes and how is it differentiated?
In this study old people are viewed as a social category, which is a set of people similar to each other in terms of socially significant features (such as age, possessed social roles and awareness of received social benefits), who are aware of these similarities and differences between each other. Moreover, it is assumed, that such persons exceeded the 60 years of age. It is also assumed that human, social and cultural capital is accumulated in the human resources. Social capital is recognized here broadly as a potential for collaboration embedded in interpersonal relationships and social norms that may benefit individuals, groups and societies.
The book consists of three chapters. The first, which is the theoretical part of work, includes information about: old age as a stage of individual life and explanation of the old people notion. It discusses social theories of ageing, historical factors affecting on the social position of old people category, changes in their place in Polish society during the system transformation and in the early 21st century. It describes the possible consequences of increased life expectancy for democracy and capitalism – including the concepts of society for all ages, silver economy. It also features ageing population issue, as well as social policy towards the elderly and old age in Bialystok as the borderland city.
A variety of social capital concepts were presented; the spheres of its influence on socio-economic development, its status in Poland and guidelines for strategic building of its resources. Selected information on the activity of old people in public, social and economic life as key features of their social capital was brought closer.
Putting various theoretical positions, results of research and statistical data in order was aimed to link many dispersed sources considering that it is relevant to identify and develop seniors’ social capital resources, as well as leveling the delay of Polish sociology research on the elderly. Fundamental theoretical perspective of publication is the concept of capital according to P. Bourdieu. However, the proposals of J.S. Coleman, R.D. Putnam, F. Fukuyama, A. Giddens, P. Sztompka and A. Sadowski were also used.
The second chapter contains a methodological framework for the purposes of study. Research assumptions, method and course of implementation of studies were discussed. The study is based on the qualitative method and the application of in-depth interview techniques. It was considered that the personal contact with old people will be more accurate than other research techniques to identify the context in which they social capital resources can be found. It is important because the transfer of developed abroad activating solutions and interpretations of old people actions may be ineffective or have negative external effects in the Polish context.
Moreover, in the Polish science literature attention is paid to scarcity of gerontological research in accordance with the interpretive paradigm. Study involved 26 respondents aged 60 to 89 years living in Bialystok associated with one of two different institutions: nursing home for the elderly and University of the Third Age. By comparing the persons on two extremes of social activity it was possible to see similarities and differences in their capital equipment, and also in achievements of the life positions in the class structure and resources aimed at successful ageing.
The third chapter presents the empirical analysis of the research results. This part outlines the way in which old people think about their ancestors and contemporary people. It also shows factors according to changes in their social position in the city, social issues which they consider most important for old people, their opinions about leisure time, opportunities and barriers of economic activity and types of old people social capital depending on the institution with which they are associated. Approach to the perception and use of internal disparities of seniors were also discussed. The analysis additionally contains the evaluation of senior citizens image in the polish mass media.
This publication does not contain a strict ending. It only identifies the main conclusions of the research and potential directions of future analysis. Above all, older people could improve their position not by demanding increases in social benefits from which major parts are often taken away by their family members, but by highlighting their human, social and cultural capital. It is necessary to create favorable conditions for social and professional life of old people and their cooperation with members of local communities. Important role in this regard is played by institutions implementing three tasks: stimulating senior citizens’ desire to satisfy previously unrealized needs; creating relationships between them so that they can solve their own problems and work for the others; and providing legal, social and vocational guidance. Stimulating cooperation between existing public, commercial and non-governmental sector organizations may serve to achieve these goals. The dissemination of bottom-up techniques of social capital building and checklist of essential features of Age-friendly Cities may also be important.

Abstract

Local and global dependencies and interactions between individuals, groups and institutions are becoming increasingly opaque and risky. This is due to increased importance of highly complex abstract systems created and supported in order to maintain of transport, communications, finance, energy, media, security infrastructure, as well as social and cultural institutions. These systems require the knowledge and skills of experts. Professionals that not only satisfy identified needs, but also create new thereby contribute the development of cultural narcissism phenomenon. The aim of the book is to discuss relations of experts and mass narcissism, on the background of shaping the knowledge societies and knowledge-based economies, and moreover their transformations towards the societies and economies based on creativity and wisdom. Undertaken analysis is contribute to sociology of expertise and intervention by indicating four selected contemporary issues: dilemmas of the knowledge society development; selection between trust substitutes and its reconstruction methods; transformations of social stratification; and the choice of pathways to socio-economic development.