Limitations on the activities of senior non-governmental organizations in Upper Silesia. Analysis of focus group interviews

Purpose: The article will address the issue of structural, cultural and agency barriers limiting the development of social innovations in selected Silesian senior non-governmental organizations (NGOs). One of the main barriers to the implementation of social innovations is the barrier of agency. Design/methodology/approach: The theoretical basis of the research presented in the article is Margaret Archer's morphogenetic theory of structure and agency (Archer, 2013, 2016, 2019). On their basis and using the qualitative analysis of data obtained during group interviews (FGI), a diagnosis of developmental limitations and barriers will be made. A qualitative research method (FGI) was used to obtain empirical data. This method allows for the analysis of structural elements, cultural features of a given organization, as well as the capabilities of individual social and organizational entities. Based on the theoretical assumptions and the author's observations, four research questions were posed: (1) What structurally conditioned agency barriers have been observed by the examined seniors while undertaking innovative activities? (2) What awareness agency barriers have been observed by the examined seniors? Findings: If we use the language of the morphogenetic theory and refer to its causal analysis scheme (Archer, 2005, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2019) then: (1) the surveyed members of non-governmental organizations in the processes of implementing innovations constantly diagnose structural and cultural conditions and (2) determine the objective incompatibilities between them (indicated deficits and barriers). (3) They then collectively analyze, emotionally and reflectively, the external conditions to give feedback. (4) They interact socially and culturally with the environment. (5) The resources of objectified and conscious agency that the surveyed seniors have at their disposal make it possible to overcome specific barriers and take action in accordance with the morphogenetic scenario related to collective autonomous reflexivity. Originality/value: The added value of the presented research in the theoretical dimension is the operational clarification of the morphogenetic scheme of the Margaret Archer causal analysis. Theoretically, an important novelty is the conceptualization of the concept of structurally conditioned (objectified) agency and agency of consciousness, which allowed for a precise operationalization of the main research questions regarding barriers to agency. In the empirical dimension, barriers appearing in the implementation of social innovations in selected Silesian non-governmental organizations were diagnosed. In the future, the application-based research results will allow for the implementation of educational and implementation projects (action research), adequate to the needs of the surveyed social groups.