Overcoming the theoretical duality on social enterprise formation

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leandro da Silva Nascimento ◽  
Viviane Santos Salazar
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Approach ◽  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Continuous Process ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Initial Idea

Purpose Nowadays, creation and discovery theories are the two main theoretical approaches supporting the studies on the emergence of enterprises and some scholars analyze these theories in isolation. In addition, studies that investigate the emergence of social enterprises based on these theories together are scarce. This paper aims to analyze if and how discovery and creation theories can coexist in the formation process of social enterprises. Design/methodology/approach A multi-case study based on semi-structured interviews with the founders of eight Brazilian social enterprises was conducted. Findings From the results, it is identified that there is a continuous process between discoveries and creations that lead to the maturation of the initial idea and, consequently, to the formation of a social enterprise. Therefore, a continuous process model between discovery and creation of opportunities in the formation of a social enterprise (i.e. a mixed theoretical approach) is proposed, going beyond a theoretical duality between creation or discovery. Originality/value This study helps to overcome limitations inherent in both discovery and creation theories, proposing a mixed theoretical approach. This new theoretical approach praises the existence of new paths to understand the emergence of social enterprises, by overcoming the theoretical duality between creation or discovery of opportunities, i.e. a new understanding of an integrating process rather than a dichotomous one.

scholarly journals Empowering communities? Exploring roles in facilitated social enterprise

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eilidh Finlayson ◽  
Michael James Roy
Keyword(s):  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Project Planning ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Planning Stage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Development Intervention ◽  
Study Approach

PurposeStates and development bodies are increasingly stimulating social enterprise activity in communities as an empowering social and economic development intervention. This type of development initiative is often facilitated by actors who are external to communities, and the role of community members is not clear. This paper aims to explore whether facilitated social enterprise benefits or disempowers communities.Design/methodology/approachThe focus is a case study of a project based in Scotland designed to stimulate the creation of social enterprises involved in community growing. The case study approach involved a mix of methods, including formal (semi-structured) interviews, participant observation and analysis of documentary evidence. Analysis of findings was undertaken using Muñoz and Steinerowski’s (2012) theory of social entrepreneurial behaviour.FindingsFindings suggest that social enterprise that originates outside communities and is facilitated by external actors is potentially disempowering, particularly when social enterprise development does not necessarily align with community needs. The paper reiterates findings in previous studies that certain roles in facilitated social enterprise require to be community-led. Projects that do attempt to facilitate social enterprise would benefit from community participation at the project planning stage.Originality/valueIf facilitated social enterprise is increasingly promoted as an empowering development intervention, this paper provides insight about how facilitated social enterprise occurs in practice and gives preliminary information about possible barriers to empowerment using this approach to development.

scholarly journals Social enterprise: a model of recovery and social inclusion for occupational therapy practice in the UK

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Joy Stickley ◽  
Kelly J. Hall
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
The Uk

Purpose Occupational therapists are increasingly working in organisations outside of the public sector. UK government policy over the past decade has promoted health and social care provision by social enterprises. The purpose of this paper is to examine the compatibility of occupational therapy practice and a social enterprise environment, within the UK and questions if this approach may enhance experiences of social inclusion for people who use these services. Design/methodology/approach Case study methodology was used with eight social enterprises in the UK. Data were collected through: semi-structured interviews, formal organisational documents, and field visits and observations. Interviews were conducted with 26 participants who were occupational therapists, service users and social entrepreneurs/managers. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Occupational therapists experienced job satisfaction, professional autonomy and were able to practise according to their professional philosophy. Service users valued support with: employment, routine, social relationships, and developing a sense of identity, particularly outside of a medical model definition. To a degree therefore, people using these services claimed socially inclusive benefits. Challenges with funding social enterprises, however, impacted occupational therapy delivery in some cases. Research limitations/implications The majority of social enterprise research is drawn from case study methodology; however, this was the most appropriate research design to gain greatest insight into a small but developing phenomenon. Further research into occupational therapy practice within social enterprises is required, particularly on the effectiveness of returning to work and social inclusion. Social implications Social enterprises can provide therapeutic environments to promote recovery and social inclusion which is also compatible with occupational therapy practice. Originality/value This is the first known national research into occupational therapy provision in social enterprises within the UK, which evidences a compatibility within occupational therapy practice within a social enterprise environment and the benefits of this.

scholarly journals Australian indigenous social enterprise: measuring performance

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 397-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rochelle Spencer ◽  
Martin Brueckner ◽  
Gareth Wise ◽  
Banduk Marika
Keyword(s):  
Nonprofit Organizations ◽  
Performance Management ◽  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Policy Support ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Impact ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities

Purpose Using an integrated framework for performance management of nonprofit organizations, this paper aims to present an analysis of the activities of an Indigenous social enterprise in the town of Yirrkala in northeast Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia. The evaluation focuses on the social effectiveness of the organization and its ability to help generate income and employment and drive social capital creation. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is informed by data derived from “yarns” with social enterprise staff and semi-structured interviews conducted with key informants who were selected using snowball sampling. Data were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Findings The analysis reveals that the organization provides a successful community-based pathway for increasing Indigenous economic participation on local terms at a time of regional economic decline and high levels of Indigenous unemployment nationally. Practical implications The measured effectiveness of Nuwul highlights the need for targeted policy support for Indigenous enterprises and that social entrepreneurship is far more likely to be successful in a supportive government policy environment, a critical need for government-initiated policies to encourage the formation of Indigenous social enterprises that are entrepreneurial and innovative in their solutions to poverty and marginalization. Such policies should not only aid the establishment of Indigenous ventures but also facilitate their long-term growth and sustainability. Originality/value Although Indigenous entrepreneurial activities have been found to be effective in addressing Indigenous disadvantage in Australia, little is known about their community impact. The article provides original empirically grounded research on the measurement of Indigenous entrepreneurial activities and their wider community impact. The data show, against the backdrop of mixed results of government efforts to drive Indigenous economic mainstreaming, that the entrepreneurial activities analyzed in this paper are an example of more flexible and culturally appropriate pathways for achieving Indigenous equality in rural and remote regions of Australia.

scholarly journals Bricolage in the marketing efforts of a social enterprise

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merie Joseph Kannampuzha ◽  
Mari Suoranta
Keyword(s):  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Resource Constraints ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Entrepreneurship Education ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Creative Solutions ◽  
Start Ups ◽  
Resource Leveraging

Purpose The paper aims to understand how resource constraints are addressed in the development of a marketing strategy by a social enterprise. Design/methodology/approach The authors have used an in-depth case study of collaboration between a Finnish university and an Indian social enterprise as the methodology for the research in which the data were collected over a period of two years. The data involve semi-structured interviews, field notes and student reports. Findings The authors propose bricolage as a method of marketing ingenuity in resource-constrained social enterprises. Network bricolage and entrepreneurship education bricolage were identified as two mechanisms adopted to address resource constraints in the early stage of the development of a social enterprise. Further studies need to be conducted to test the applicability of network bricolage among a variety of small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups. Bricolage could be explored in more detail as an alternative to resource leveraging to understand the marketing activities of social businesses in their initial stages. Research limitations/implications Network bricolage is a type of bricolage in which an entrepreneur utilizes existing personal and professional networks as a resource at hand. Although networking and resource leveraging imply that the founders of an organization pursue resources from previously unknown people, network bricolage involves already known contacts of the entrepreneur. Practical implications Another type of bricolage that observed by the authors was entrepreneurship education bricolage. A combination of students, business mentors and university resources such as faculty members was utilized as an ingenuity mechanism to develop creative solutions for a shortage of marketing resources. Originality/value The theoretical framework of entrepreneurial bricolage is applied in the context of the marketing of a social enterprise.

scholarly journals Modelling knowledge integration process in early contractor involvement procurement at tender stage – a Western Australian case study

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 429-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Hastie ◽  
Monty Sutrisna ◽  
Charles Egbu
Keyword(s):  
Process Model ◽  
Knowledge Integration ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Process Models ◽  
Integration Process ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Procurement Method ◽  
Western Australian

Purpose This paper aims to disseminate the knowledge integration process modelling throughout the phases of the early contractor involvement (ECI) procurement methodology, to optimise the benefit of ECI procurement method. The development of the model was aimed at taking advantage from the associated benefits of integrating knowledge and of ECI procurement. ECI provides contractors with an alternative means to tendering, designing and constructing projects. Thus, this paper explores knowledge interconnectivity and its integration involving numerous disciplines with various stakeholders to benefit from the collaborative environment of ECI. Design/methodology/approach The methodology implemented in the research includes a thorough literature review to establish the characteristics of the ECI tender stage as well as the characteristics of knowledge to be integrated in an ECI setting. Following this, an embedded case study research methodology was used involving three healthcare ECI projects undertaken by a Western Australian commercial contractor through 20 semi-structured interviews and project archival study, followed by the development of knowledge integration process models throughout the ECI process of the studied cases. Findings The research findings provide the basis to develop a knowledge integration process model throughout the ECI stages. The tender stage was found to be the most crucial stage for knowledge integration, particularly from the main contractor’s perspective to impart change and to influence the project outcome. The outcome of this research identifies the richness and interconnectivity of knowledge throughout the knowledge integration process in an ECI project starting from the intra-organisational knowledge integration process followed by the inter-organisational process of knowledge integration. This inside-out perspective of knowledge integration also revealed the need for mapping the implementation of knowledge integration from instrumental to incremental approach throughout the ECI stages in optimising the intended benefits of integrating knowledge. Originality/value This paper reports the development of a knowledge integration process model with the view to optimise the management effectiveness of integrating knowledge in ECI projects. Although knowledge integration and ECI can be considered existing and widely accepted concepts, the novelty of this research lies in the specific use of the knowledge integration process to analyse the knowledge flow, transformation and, hence, management in ECI projects. As it has been acknowledged that knowledge integration is beneficial but also a complex process, the methodology implemented here in modelling the process can be used as the basis to model knowledge integration in other ECI projects to further capitalise from ECI as a collaborative procurement method.

scholarly journals Marketing Scottish social enterprises using a label?

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-357
Author(s):  
Indiana Bonar ◽  
Paula Sonja Karlsson
Keyword(s):  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Consumer Awareness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Marketing Activities ◽  
Marketing Tool ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Social enterprises are competitive businesses in the marketplace, yet insubstantial research has investigated how they market their businesses. This paper aims to investigate the impact a social enterprise label – “Buy the Good Stuff” – used in Edinburgh has had on consumer awareness and explore whether a possible national label could be used as a marketing tool by social enterprises in Scotland. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a mixed-methods approach, consisting of an online questionnaire with 100 participants and seven semi-structured interviews with representatives of social enterprises involved in the marketing campaign in Edinburgh and representatives of social enterprises who were not involved in the campaign. Findings Findings indicate that the label used in Edinburgh has had little impact on increasing consumer awareness of social enterprises. However, a national label has the potential to help social enterprises increase consumer awareness. Yet, successful implementation requires thorough design of the label and broad support for its promotion. Practical implications The paper offers insights into the implementation of a national label. Managers of social enterprises and social enterprise networks should consider the findings when adopting marketing activities. Originality/value Findings contribute to the sparse literature regarding marketing activities of social enterprises. The paper provides evidence that the broader social enterprise sector and its representatives in Scotland should re-evaluate their position on the introduction of a national label, given that one priority identified for the sector is to create and promote a social enterprise brand which the SE code is not focussed on.

scholarly journals Ethnographies of social enterprise

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (02) ◽  
pp. 114-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie Mauksch ◽  
Pascal Dey ◽  
Mike Rowe ◽  
Simon Teasdale
Keyword(s):  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Social Phenomena ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Development ◽  
Work World ◽  
Emotional Commitment ◽  
Discourse Practice ◽  
Collective Representations

Purpose As a critical and intimate form of inquiry, ethnography remains close to lived realities and equips scholars with a unique methodological angle on social phenomena. This paper aims to explore the potential gains from an increased use of ethnography in social enterprise studies. Design/methodology/approach The authors develop the argument through a set of dualistic themes, namely, the socio-economic dichotomy and the discourse/practice divide as predominant critical lenses through which social enterprise is currently examined, and suggest shifts from visible leaders to invisible collectives and from case study-based monologues to dialogic ethnography. Findings Ethnography sheds new light on at least four neglected aspects. Studying social enterprises ethnographically complicates simple reductions to socio-economic tensions, by enriching the set of differences through which practitioners make sense of their work-world. Ethnography provides a tool for unravelling how practitioners engage with discourse(s) of power, thus marking the concrete results of intervention (to some degree at least) as unplannable, and yet effective. Ethnographic examples signal the merits of moving beyond leaders towards more collective representations and in-depth accounts of (self-)development. Reflexive ethnographies demonstrate the heuristic value of accepting the self as an inevitable part of research and exemplify insights won through a thoroughly bodily and emotional commitment to sharing the life world of others. Originality/value The present volume collects original ethnographic research of social enterprises. The editorial develops the first consistent account of the merits of studying social enterprises ethnographically.

scholarly journals Beyond box-ticking: a study of stakeholder involvement in social enterprise governance

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Larner ◽  
Chris Mason
Keyword(s):  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Stakeholder Involvement ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
Legal Form ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Community Interest ◽  
Enterprise Governance

Purpose – This paper aims to present the findings from a small study of social enterprise governance in the UK, taking a case study approach to uncover the experiences of internal actors who are involved in their board-level management. Design/methodology/approach – The study took a qualitative constructionist approach, focusing on stakeholder involvement in social enterprise governance. Initial theme analysis of 14 semi-structured interviews with board or senior management representatives revealed key issues in the governance of social enterprise, which were then explored through a comparative case study of two organisations. Findings – The study found that social enterprises surveyed employed a number of mechanisms to ensure appropriate stakeholder involvement in their governance, including adopting a participatory democratic structure which involves one or more groups of stakeholders, creation of a non-executive advisory group to inform strategic direction and adopting social accounting with external auditing. The research also highlighted the potential of the community interest company legal form for UK social enterprise, particularly in developing the role of the asset-locked body in terms of providing CIC governance oversight. Research limitations/implications – This survey was limited to the North West of England; however its findings can potentially support innovation in conceptual developments internationally. Originality/value – This research contributes to the under-researched field of social enterprise governance, potentially enabling these organisations to adopt more effective governance mechanisms that appropriately manage the involvement of beneficiaries and other stakeholders.

scholarly journals Boundary negotiations: a paradox theoretical approach for efficient and flexible modular systems

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Davies ◽  
Glenn Parry ◽  
Laura Anne Phillips ◽  
Irene C.L. Ng
Keyword(s):  
Process Model ◽  
Modular Design ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Modular Systems ◽  
Boundary Ambiguity ◽  
Firm Boundary

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the interplay between firm boundary decisions and the management of both efficiency and flexibility and the implications this has for modular design in the provision of advanced services.Design/methodology/approachA single case study in the defence industry employs semi-structured interviews supplemented by secondary data. Data are analysed using thematic analysis.FindingsThe findings provide a process model of boundary negotiations for the design of efficient and flexible modular systems consisting of three phases; boundary ambiguity, boundary defences and boundary alignment.Practical implicationsThe study provides a process framework for boundary negotiations to help organisations navigate the management of both-and efficiency and flexibility in the provision of advanced services.Originality/valueDrawing upon modularity, paradox and systems theory, this article provides novel theoretical insight into the relationship between firm boundary decisions and the management of both-and efficiency vs. flexibility in the provision of product upgrade services.

Understanding social enterprise in The Netherlands

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-45
Author(s):  
Joost Willem Backer
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Institutional Environment ◽  
Institutional Context ◽  
The Body ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Political Will ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Country Case Study

Purpose This paper aims to provide a qualitative country case study of The Netherlands, adopting the macro-institutional social enterprise (MISE) framework as developed by Kerlin (2009, 2013, 2017). The research question is twofold: How does the institutional context shape the social enterprise country model in The Netherlands, and To what extent can the MISE framework be a useful tool in explaining this dynamic between the institutional context and social enterprise country model? Design/methodology/approach This research applies the MISE framework developed by Kerlin (2017), which is founded upon the historical institutionalist approach. Findings The analysis of the institutional context in The Netherlands shows that the country context shares most traits with the autonomous diverse model. Its institutional environment should however be more enabling for the development of social enterprises. This discrepancy is explained through the notion of political will, resulting in the suggestion that the historical institutionalist approach of the MISE framework could be expanded by a greater focus on political will. Research limitations/implications To investigate the Dutch social enterprise country model, this paper principally relies on external sources, including surveys (McKinsey, 2016; PwC, 2016; Social Enterprise NL, 2015; 2016; 2018). This is problematic due to its subjective nature, small population size used and potential conceptual misfit with the definitions used in this research. Practical implications For academia, this paper enhances the understanding of the relations between the institutional environment and social enterprise by adding a case study of The Netherlands to the body of research around the MISE framework. Furthermore, the paper suggests to enhance the historical institutionalist approach of the MISE framework with a greater focus on political will. For advocates of social enterprises in The Netherlands, including policymakers, this paper may add to their understanding of the current developments around social enterprise in The Netherlands and possibly enhance their effectiveness of advocating for policies that are conducive to the development of social enterprises. Originality/value This research is the first in applying a universally applicable theoretical framework to the context of The Netherlands. For scholars of social enterprise in The Netherlands, it provides a comprehensive overview of developments of social enterprise in the country over recent years, as well as a thorough analysis of the current state of affairs. For international scholars of social enterprise, this research provides a case of comparison with other countries, taking into account all main institutions that shape a country and social enterprise in that country. For scholars of the MISE framework, this research offers an additional country case study that further helps improve the framework.

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