In modern conditions of economic environment development, characterized by transformation and unstable state of social challenges, the relevance of innovation in the workspace of the organization increases. However, insufficient study of social needs of employed population does not contribute to the innovativeness of workplaces, which causes the necessity of qualitative study of this topic. The purpose of the study is to identify the social needs of the population, acting as the basis for the implementation of innovative practices in organizations. The article reflects the results of sociological surveys of working citizens in the Vologda Oblast, conducted by VolRC RAS from 1997 to 2020. It shows that the main demotivating factors in the implementation of labor potential of the region’s population are the low level of wages and lack of interest in work. The Vologda Oblast occupies a very low position (69th place) among the Russian constituent entities in terms of citizens’ satisfaction with working conditions. There is a reluctance of the employed population to increase the level of knowledge and skills on their own, despite the existing demand and a high percentage of interested workers (about 40%). The study of the social needs of the employed population in the region confirmed the necessity of innovative transformations in the functioning of economic entities. Changes are required in terms of training and adaptation of personnel, development of communicative and creative skills of employees, introduction of flexible conditions and modes of work, increasing stress resistance, implementation of health improvement programs and tools to improve the quality of working life of employees. The findings of this study contribute to the development of practical aspects of the innovation implementation in the workplace, forming an understanding of the overdue changes in the social environment at the meso- and microlevel. In the future it is possible to study the relationship between job satisfaction and the implementation of innovative practices in the workplace
Keywords
social innovation, employed population, workplaces