Social entrepreneurship and selected elements of the entrepreneurship ecosystem

Abstract

The article aims to analyse the development of social entrepreneurship in the entrepreneurial ecosystem’s context based on the example of three countries: Poland, Italy and North Macedonia. The theoretical framework for the analysis and interpretation of the results is determined by new institutional economics and entrepreneurship theories. In turn, the empirical part is based on the analysis of selected indicators on the development of social entrepreneurship; a diagnostic survey has also been carried out among stakeholders (representatives of entities related to social entrepreneurship), and young people in Poland, Italy and North Macedonia. The analysis allows for the of the leading research hypothesis which assumes that one of the most essential and basic elements of the social entrepreneurship ecosystem is knowledge, and its low level within society is a barrier to its development. To make the most of its potential, and increase employment in social enterprises, it is essential to integrate social entrepreneurship with mainstream entrepreneurship and business education.