An Appreciative Inquiry Approach to Community-Based Research for Development of a Social Enterprise

Abstract

This chapter shares a case study emanating from a long-term community–university research partnership between a nonprofit organization serving vulnerable women, children and families by providing them with shelter, food and love, and the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Due to financial challenges, this nonprofit organization—like so many others—battles to survive and fulfil their important social purpose. They requested us to improve their sustainability by helping them to become a social enterprise, to be able to cover their own expenses while providing residents with opportunities to become self-sustaining. We used an appreciative inquiry design to help the organization and its residents discover their strengths, before designing and implementing an action plan based on a social enterprise business canvas to reach their future vision. They created a digital story to mobilize their co-generated knowledge. This case study provides an example of how appreciative inquiry can be applied as a strength-based methodology to design inclusive and sustainable research and development pathways. The research enabled this vulnerable population to create awareness regarding the pressing societal challenges facing them. Through this partnership for community-based research, we co-created action-orientated knowledge solutions for future sustainable development.KeywordsAppreciative inquiryCommunity–university research partnershipNonprofit organizationSocial constructionismSocial enterprise