Practice-Based Wisdom Theory for Integrating Institutional Logics: A New Model for Social Entrepreneurship Learning and Education

Abstract

In this paper, we use a practice-based wisdom perspective to address the challenges of managing competing logics in social enterprises. From previous work, it is clear that a major task for social entrepreneurs is to manage the tension between social welfare and commercial success. Although the social welfare logic and its related values and practices form the foundations of social enterprises, social entrepreneurs also have to ensure that their businesses are commercially sustainable, making it necessary to engage with the commercial logic. To this end, we develop a curriculum matrix based on social practice wisdom to assist students in learning appropriate knowledge and skills, enact social entrepreneurship goals, and integrate competing logics in innovative and sustainable ways.