The sociology of innovation for action research. The example of sports clubs in the French neighborhoods
The article leans on a research-action committed with sports clubs in the popular districts in France to question the use of the notion of social innovation by the scientists and the associative managers. A systemic approach of the innovation is presented, as well as its relevance to understand the observed realities. The article insists on the relational dynamics of the social innovation in sports clubs, in particular by the analysis of the links between sociologists and carriers of the innovation. The ambiguous appropriation by the actors of the innovation, the notions produced by the sociologists is highlighted. From then on raises the problem of the commitment of the researcher and its progressive integration in the process of innovation.