Social Entrepreneurial Organizations Research Articles

SUSTAINABLE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OF AMERICAN SOCIAL ENTERPRISES UNDER THE PRESSURE OF NEW TRENDS

With minimal federal regulation, state legislation and precedent in the United States, the institutional environment for social enterprises, the development of social responsibility of business and sustainable corporate governance has generally been formed. It is distinguished by active support for social initiatives of business, a minimum of administrative barriers and interference in matters of their internal management, and the presence of special legal regimes. At the same time, the economic effectiveness of sustainable corporate governance is not known; its principles are also not enshrined at the federal level, but are implemented through the charters of corporations and social entrepreneurship organizations. The type and specifics of sustainable management depend on the type of organization. They are fully implemented in the organizational and legal forms of SPC and BC. The main problem in implementing the principles of sustainable management by the owners and management of social corporations remains the search for a balance between profit and social interests, including an objective assessment of the level of achievement of the latter. This balance is achieved not by the application of corporate law, which varies from state to state, but by the application of the business judgment rule, based on precedent, which implies a high degree of discretion and the difficulty or even impossibility of an objective assessment. Sustainable corporate governance is under increasing pressure from multidirectional non-economic trends leading to socialization, greening and politicization of business to the detriment of its traditional goals. The American federal, decentralized model of legal regulation of social entrepreneurship does not correspond to the development trends of the Russian legal system, where the trends of centralization of regulation dominate. The American legal model of sustainable corporate governance is implemented mainly in large international corporations, which no longer exist in Russia, which significantly reduces the relevance of the experience.

Development of Social Entrepreneurship Organizations Based on Social Bricolage and Diamond Models to Support Village Tourism Innovation

A country's economy can be categorized as being in good condition if all components have a positive contribution to the country's economy. We can understand that the smallest component in a country's economic development is the synergy of the village economy. One sector that can be a strength of the village economy is tourism. Based on this, researchers are called to direct this research to the development of village tourism. This research is a qualitative type, so data is taken from field observations and interviews. Social bricolage (SB) provides an opportunity to create an inclusive tourism economic development model for underprivileged communities to be empowered in developing their regions with the concept of local wisdom in a sustainable manner. The social entrepreneurship organizational development model using the Diamond Model and social bricolage encourages business model innovation and social entrepreneurship in the field of village tourism. Based on the previous description, we can conclude that this research will have a positive impact when the concept of entrepreneurship development based on social bricolage and the diamond model is implemented well. This research will measure these two concepts so that appropriate conclusions can be drawn.

The Influence of Strategic Entrepreneurship and Individual Development on Competitive Advantage in Social Entrepreneurship Organizations (Case Study of TAULAN Community)

The Influence of Strategic Entrepreneurship and Individual Development on Competitive Advantage in Social Entrepreneurship Organizations (Case Study of TAULAN Community)

The residents' participation in tourism based social entrepreneurship organization: Evidence from residents’ perception on ecosphere social enterprise

The main objective of this study is to investigate the residents' perceived benefits (economic, infrastructure development, quality of life, environmental conservation and cultural development) by participating in tourism social enterprises (TSE) formation and implementation phases. Specifically, this study uses Ecosphere social enterprise as a case study to assess the residents' participation in two different phases of TSE. To achieve the study objective, we collect field-based data on four locations (Kaza, Langza, Komic and Dhankhar) in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. The survey was carried out in September 2019 and qualitative techniques were used for the analysis. The results reveal that the residents play an important role in TSE formation and development phases, where the tourism benefits have a mediating role. The overall results indicate that the residents' participation in the TSE development phase yielded higher benefits than the formation phase. Management implications1)In order to effectively encourage local residents to support all stages of tourism social enterprises (TSE), strategic tourism plans should be reviewed from each perspective based on the economic and Non-economic factors of tourism on local residents.2)Local residents in formation stage have less interaction with tourism activities and tourists and thus have limited knowledge about TSE strategies for tourism development than they do in the development stage. Therefore Social enterprises should allow residents to access the information and encourage them to participate decision making in all stages.3)Some tourism services were provided by a few residents in developmental stage, the economic benefits to all residents appear to be limited. Therefore, the residents also did not perceive many economic benefits from TSE in the developmental stage. Therefore, TSE managers must ensure that direct employment is provided to residents to ensure that tourism revenue is distributed among a greater number of residents.

Governance Structures: Enabling Social Entrepreneurial Organizations in South Africa to Operate Sustainably

Governance Structures: Enabling Social Entrepreneurial Organizations in South Africa to Operate Sustainably

The forging of moral leaders in social entrepreneurship: A comparative study from two public welfare organizations in China

Young people, including college students, are the main body for the main force of public welfare entrepreneurship and the effective force of future social entrepreneurs. How can college students, who are often self-made and lack entrepreneurial experience, social capital, and resources, grow up to be “moral leaders” of social entrepreneurship organizations? And what role does social entrepreneurship education play? Previous studies have not provided corresponding theoretical explanations to address these questions. This study uses as examples two public welfare organizations and their founders; namely, YinChao Pension Service Center in Yinzhou District, Ningbo City, and Ant Public Welfare Service Center in Yuyao City. The exploratory comparative research method of two cases is used, and the perspective is constructed based on personal significance. Through the open decoding analysis, this study refines the key elements of the individual growth of public entrepreneurs as “moral leaders,” including four stages: concept construction, moral conflict, relationship construction, and rule construction, as well as personal meaning construction strategy and public entrepreneurship education strategy. The research results not only explain how individuals grow up to be “moral leaders” in public welfare organizations through self-meaning construction in the context of public welfare entrepreneurship and the construction process from individual to organization morality systems but also provide a theoretical framework for cultivating successful public welfare entrepreneurs and a theoretical reference for the sustainable development of public welfare entrepreneurs and public welfare entrepreneurship education in colleges and universities.

CONNECTING GENERATIONS AND PRESERVING LIVED EXPERIENCES: AN ILLINOIS AGE-FRIENDLY INITIATIVE

Abstract The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign was recently designated an age-friendly university (AFU).Our AFU program coordinated by CHART (Collaborations in Health, Aging, Research, and Technology) collaborates with our campus University of Illinois Extension office. We are partnering with a student organization called Sage to engage undergraduate students in AFU principles (i.e., promote intergenerational learning and increase the understanding of students of longevity divide). Sage is a social venture run by the Illinois chapter of the global nonprofit organization called Enactus, a social entrepreneurship organization. Sage was established in the spring of 2019 by students who noticed discomfort and lack of understanding among their fellow students of the older generations. By fostering communication, Sage aims to combat ageist social processes, reduce social isolation, and increase mutual understanding and access to the often undervalued wisdom of older adults. Sage helps facilitate life review and develops intergenerational relationships by pairing older adults with college students who listen to and capture their stories through writing to boost the morale and self-confidence of participants. The stories and wisdom they share are then preserved through the production of a cherished legacy booklet or digital media. CHART and campus Extension services support the Sage efforts by assisting with materials development and recruiting older adults from the community to participate. We will share our lessons learned to encourage the development of similar programs at other universities.

Building brand meaning in social entrepreneurship organizations: the social impact brand model

In the face of numerous complex challenges at the ecological, economic, and social levels, Social Entrepreneurship Organizations (SEOs) offer an approach that is both solution-oriented and future-oriented by combining profitability and purpose. However, the achievement of social goals is closely linked to the ability to operate successfully in competitive environments, in which differentiation strategies, in particular the creation of strong and authentic brands, are vital to survival. Although the new paradigm of brand management, the so-called co-creative paradigm, has been extensively researched in recent decades both in the for-profit and non-profit contexts, there is still scarce empirical research addressing the field of SEOs. To exploit the potential that the co-creation paradigm offers for SEOs, our paper introduces a social impact brand model (SIBM), which sheds new light on the design process of social entrepreneurial brand meaning. The findings identify key drivers in creating SEO brands by focusing on a dual-brand core that consists of an impact mission orientation and an entrepreneurial orientation, internal branding activities, the founder's personal brand, and relevant brand (co-)creators. By aligning their brand management activities with the SIBM, SEOs can create brands that have authentic and stable brand meanings while managing stakeholder groups' various expectations.

Social bricolage and business model innovation: a framework for social entrepreneurship organizations

PurposeThe last two decades have witnessed a surge of interest in social entrepreneurship organizations (SEOs). Understanding their business models is crucial for sustaining their long-term growth. This paper analyses how SEOs that use the approach of social bricolage adapt their business model to develop social innovation.Design/methodology/approachThis study used in-depth multiple comparative case studies and narrative analysis to focus on the South of Italy, where these ventures play a crucial role in the entrepreneurial process of minor and abandoned cultural heritage sites, generating economic and social value and employment opportunities.FindingsBy developing a conceptual framework, this paper enhances current understanding of the social dimensions of SEOs’ business model. These ventures using the approach of social bricolage can produce social innovation, reinventing and innovating their business model. The business model innovation of the cases revealed a strong social mark and identified peculiar strategies that both respond to social needs and long-term sustainability in complex contexts.Practical implicationsThis study connects previous knowledge on social bricolage with the business model innovation, highlighting routines and processes used by ventures, and provides a starting point for social entrepreneurs and innovators in the complex and often uncertain cultural domain of the Third Sector in Italy.Originality/valueThe paper aims to contribute to the literature on SEOs by exploring their main features and social dimensions. By combining social bricolage and business model innovation, it offers a novel conceptual framework for developing social innovation and for the study of SEOs.

Adapting to the COVID-19 world: a case study of collective learning in a social entrepreneurial organisation

PurposeThis paper aims to examine how a social entrepreneurial organisation in Sweden collectively learned to adapt itself to the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachUsing an abductive approach, this study conducted single case fieldwork on a social entrepreneurial organisation called SFE. The following research questions were asked: What are the changes in collective learning conditions that SFE has to face during the pandemic? What are the outcomes of collective learning during the pandemic in SFE?FindingsThis study results indicate that collective learning conditions were changed by restructuring the organisation’s design and teamwork during the pandemic, which facilitated sharing of knowledge and experiences. This collective learning helped the organisation develop new virtual projects during the pandemic. Another result of this collective learning was the members’ new shared understanding of the organisation’s vision.Research limitations/implicationsThis study hopes to broaden the understanding of the relationship between collective learning in organisations and organisational adaptation in times of crisis.Practical implicationsThis study can help leaders of social entrepreneurial organisations understand what changes are necessary to create a team that collectively learns.Originality/valueThe data had the advantage of being gathered as a real-time process, and the researcher witnessed how the organisation achieved adaptation as it happened and not just through its members’ reflection of it as a past phenomenon.

Social bricolage and social business model in uncertain contexts: insights for the management of minor cultural heritage in Italy

PurposeThis paper aims to analyse how social entrepreneurship organizations that use approach of social bricolage adapt their business model to develop social innovation. The past decade has witnessed a surge of research interest in social entrepreneurship organizations (SEOs). This has resulted in important insights concerning their role in fostering social challenges. The crisis of both public and private profit-driven models meet the arising of new initiatives designed to meet the minor and often abandoned cultural heritage consumption need. Drawing on the domain of SEOs and social bricolage framework, these initiatives are able to pursue the social and the economic mission together and to produce social innovation.Design/methodology/approachThis paper aims to analyze how SEOs that use strategies of social bricolage can improve the development and diffusion of social innovation. Employing in-depth multiple comparative case studies of 15 cultural SEOs in the South of Italy, through the analysis of semi-structured interview, the study enhance current understanding of the social dimension of SEOs.FindingsFirst results show that SEOs in the domain of minor cultural heritage adopt an innovative business model and in particular a social business model unraveling organizational dimensions falling into the social bricolage. The relation between social bricolage dimensions and social business model criteria produces outcomes in which social innovation can be expressed.Originality/valueThis study enhances current understanding of the social dimensions of business model involved in social innovation production of cultural SEOs. This research aims to be a benchmark of the social innovation initiatives in the field of minor cultural heritage management.

Current problems and prospects for the development of social entrepreneurship in Latvia

The article is devoted to the analysis of development trends, identification of problems and elaboration of recommendations for the development of social entrepreneurship in Latvia. The subject of study is theoretical and practical aspects of functioning of social enterprises in the context of current trends in the development of social entrepreneurship in Latvia. The purpose of the study:, to identify factors and problems of functioning of social enterprises in Latvia based on the analysis of their activities, as well as to evaluate possibilities for the development of social entrepreneurship in Latvia in modern environment. Research methods: content analysis, historical, analytical, comparative, tabular, graphical. Results of the study: historical prerequisites for the emergence of social entrepreneurship phenomenon in the world were considered. Based on the analysis of the development of social entrepreneurship in Europe, an analysis has been made and trends in the development of social entrepreneurship in Latvia in sectoral and regional contexts have been identified. The institutional environment and regulatory framework governing the development of social enterprises in Latvia were explored. The analysis of the main factors of socio-economic development of the country, which have a direct impact on the development of social entrepreneurship, has been carried out. The possibilities and advantages of developing social enterprises in Latvia have been described. Problems have been identified and recommendations have been elaborated for the further development of social entrepreneurship in Latvia. Applicability of the study results: conclusions and results can be used in the work of social enterprises within various fields of activity, in the work of associations of social entrepreneurship and other non-governmental organizations, authorities, as well as in the educational process of higher education institutions focused on economics and social welfare.

The Value of an Ecosystem-Based Approach to Organizational Sustainability: The Case of a Hybrid Sports-Based Youth Development Social Venture in the US South

This article explores complexity-thinking, non-linear-based models for non-profit entities aiming to create a systemic change. It applies an ‘enriched’, ecosystems approach that accounts for non-linear inputs-outputs, tipping points, dynamic contexts, and human, non-human, and institutional actors, capturing the various relationships and their multi-directional characteristics. It introduces additional factors, such as feedback loops and emergent changes, that can allow an organization to find new strategies towards sustainability and social impact. We apply this ecosystem model to social entrepreneurial organizations operating in the field of sports-based youth development via the case of A’s & Aces, drawing from first-hand experience and organizational data.

Technology Transfer for Social Entrepreneurship: Designing Problem-Oriented Innovation Ecosystems

Innovation systems are increasingly oriented towards the solution of societal and environmental problems. Social entrepreneurship can be regarded as a market-based actor, inherently aimed at finding solutions for these problems. The development of technologically advanced social entrepreneurship represents an outcome of problem-oriented innovation systems, requiring a closer link between social and technological innovation. Nonetheless, the literature has not yet explored a key element of these innovation systems: the technology transfer processes, which may enable social entrepreneurial organizations to act as innovation actors leveraging on technology. This paper investigates the relationship between the technology transfer processes targeting social entrepreneurship and different models of problem-oriented innovation ecosystems. The paper relies on a multiple-case-study design, including two problem-oriented innovation ecosystems in the Italian context, namely, MIND and Torino Social Impact, which are technology transfer projects designed to target social entrepreneurship. Drawing from content analysis of interviews, documents and direct observations, the results stress that the different objectives and contents of technology transfer, coupled with different perceptions of the idiosyncratic features of social entrepreneurship compared to commercial entrepreneurship, fit different ecosystem models in terms of the participating actors, governance and primary orientation to social or economic value generation.

Social Entrepreneurship: The Logic of Paradox

Social entrepreneurship is a paradoxical phenomenon wherein seemingly incompatible elements such as business and social logics coexist. Previous research has been insufficient to systematically describe how social entrepreneurship organizations (SEO) try to balance these logics and why these same paradoxical elements make social entrepreneurship what it is. Using the systematic literature review method, this paper examines six major paradoxes and how they affect both the theory and practice of social entrepreneurship by furthering the nascent discussion about the role of paradoxes in SEOs. Viewed through the lens of organizational logics, this paper argues that the dynamic interplay between these paradoxes initiates and drives the innovations and changes necessary for the very existence of SEOs.

Mapping of social enterprises in Gujarat: Opportunities and challenges ahead

Social entrepreneurship is a rising field of academic and practical activity worldwide and social entrepreneurs become drivers of inclusive growth and sustainable development and also provide opportunities for new models of social business to bring changes in the lives of communities those who are living at the bottom of the pyramid. Recognizing the importance and diversity of social entrepreneurial organizations (not for profits, for profits, and hybrid), this study chooses to map the existing social enterprises that have a social, economic, and environment goals and also look at the existing social enterprise ecosystem in Central Gujarat. The main contribution of this paper is to evaluate the opportunities and challenges of social entrepreneurial activities in Central Gujarat, India. Moreover, analysis and discussion would help the researcher to draw reasonable conclusions, provide a number of insights on lessons and challenges with which a social enterprise sector can be expected to face in near future.

Promoting Social Entrepreneurial Organizations: An Empirical Study of Teacher-Student Co-entrepreneurship.

This paper explores the impact of different types of social entrepreneurship education cultivation models on students’ opinion on social entrepreneurship, defines and classifies the emerging social entrepreneurship cultivation models in colleges and universities, and confirms the performance difference between the teacher–student co-entrepreneurship (TSCE) cultivation model and the traditional cultivation model through quantitative research. Chi-square analysis and the structural equation model are used to verify the following two conclusions: in the process of promoting the acceptance of social entrepreneurship study, the TSCE cultivation model is more effective than the traditional cultivation model; and the collaborative co-entrepreneurship cultivation model is more conducive to the deepening of practical learning than the employment co-entrepreneurship cultivation model. The research results will help colleges and universities to redesign the training process of social entrepreneurship skills, and then provide help for college students to achieve more adequate entrepreneurial preparation.

Toward a typology of social entrepreneurs: the interplay between passionate activism and entrepreneurial expertise

PurposeThis paper contributes to research in social entrepreneurship by introducing a typology that describes four distinct types of social entrepreneurs based on the nature of their lives and career experiences and the scope of their social engagement.Design/methodology/approachIn order to build a typology of social entrepreneurs, inductive profile analysis and archival research design approaches were used. A large variety of social entrepreneur profiles that are available in prominent social entrepreneurship organizations such as Ashoka Foundation, Echoing Green, Schwab Foundation and Skoll Foundation were examined.FindingsUsing four types of social entrepreneurs from the typology, the authors developed a number of predictions as to how social entrepreneurs with an activist background may benefit more in the short term but possibly struggle in the long term given their attachment to their venture's “original” cause and lack of corporate/business experience.Originality/valueBy developing a typology of social entrepreneurs and discussing the implications of this typology for post-launch social venture performance, the paper advances the current understanding of social entrepreneurs and the performance of their ventures. Additionally, by focusing on social entrepreneurs as agents of social change, this paper sheds some light on who these entrepreneurs are, what kind of life and career experiences they had and what motivates them to engage in social entrepreneurship.

Social franchising: a transitional solution for organisational growth of social entrepreneurial organisations

The aim of our study is to investigate factors influencing organisational growth of social entrepreneurial organisations in the context of social franchising. In particular, we examine whether and how the amount of a franchise fee and the degree of standardisation can enhance or hinder organisational growth. We use an exploratory qualitative research approach to take account of the entire context of social franchise relations. Our analysis is based on semi-structured interviews with social franchisors and social franchisees as well as an analysis of written social franchise agreements. We develop a theoretical framework showing two nonlinear relations: between the amount of the franchise fee and organisational growth and between the degree of standardisation and organisational growth. Overall, our results suggest that social franchising is only a transitional solution for social entrepreneurs in generating organisational growth.

Social franchising: a transitional solution for organisational growth of social entrepreneurial organisations

Social franchising: a transitional solution for organisational growth of social entrepreneurial organisations