Harnessing Knowledge for Innovation in Social Enterprises

2010 ◽  
pp. 162-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Kong
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Social Entrepreneurs ◽  
Commercial Activities ◽  
Central Argument ◽  
Innovation Processes

Very little research has investigated the role of intellectual capital (IC) in innovation processes in social enterprises. After reviewing the literature, the central argument in this research study is that IC assists social enterprises to harness knowledge that leads to innovation for the pursuit of social and commercial activities. Thus the study contributes to the literature by theoretically arguing that IC can be utilized in innovation processes in social enterprises. An IC conceptual framework is proposed which helps social entrepreneurs to visualize IC and its components in their organizations. Finally, the framework’s implications for the development of effective innovation-based strategies in social enterprises are discussed.

Structural capital, innovation capability, and size effect: An empirical study

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 307-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nekane Aramburu ◽  
Josune Sáenz
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Innovation Capability ◽  
Organizational Conditions ◽  
Structural Capital ◽  
Equation Modelling ◽  
Moderator Role ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Innovation Processes

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to analyze the impact of different organizational enablers – i.e. ‘structural capital’ – on the ideation stage of innovation processes from an ‘intellectual capital’ (IC) perspective. Considering company size as one of the most relevant contingent variables as regards organizational conditions, the moderator role of this variable is also examined. To gather information about the variables under study, a questionnaire has been designed and addressed to the CEOs of a set of 142 Spanish manufacturing firms with more than 50 employees and which carry out R&D activities. Structural equation modelling (SEM) based on partial least squares (PLS) has then been applied in order to test the hypotheses drawn from the research. The results obtained show the organizational components which exert the greatest impact on the ideation phase and, therefore, the priority aspects to work on, in order to enhance this particular dimension of the innovation capability.

Typology of growth strategies and the role of social venture’s intangible resources

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 818-848 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raghda El Ebrashi
Keyword(s):  
Scale Up ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Growth Strategy ◽  
Growth Strategies ◽  
Social Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intangible Resources ◽  
Impact Scale ◽  
Social Ventures

Purpose Building on the resource-based view of the firm the purpose of this paper is to study the intangible resources available for social ventures, and presents a typology of growth strategies based on the intangible resources possessed by those enterprises. Design/methodology/approach This research applies a multiple case study technique for ten social enterprises in Egypt listed on Ashoka and Schwab Foundation websites. The research employs a purposive sampling technique. Data triangulation is used based on reports, websites, and interviews with social entrepreneurs and employees. Findings The study has three main findings: describing the intangible resources needed by social ventures to grow; detailing the growth strategies adopted by social ventures and corresponding funding mechanisms; explaining how intangible resources affect the selection of growth strategies, and how these interact with the context to produce expected outcomes. Overall, a typology for growth strategies of social ventures is presented. Research limitations/implications This paper is an original attempt to advance research on social enterprises in relation to the RBV and the domain of venture growth and impact scale-up. Practical implications This research is beneficial for social ventures and venture philanthropists who wish to learn about the specific resources important for venture growth, and understand the suitable strategies and context for organizational growth and impact scale-up. Originality/value This research is one of the few attempts to study and explain the types of intangible resources in social ventures and the role of different resource bundles in deciding social venture growth strategy.

How social entrepreneurs learn new skills? The role of social economy support centres in supporting know- how development.

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-43
Author(s):  
Martyna Wronka-Pośpiech ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Economy ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Social Entrepreneurs ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Know How ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Modern Business ◽  
The Many

The modern business model means that, regardless whether for-profit or non-profit, an organization should have both the willingness and the ability to learn and develop. Nowadays social enterprise has emerged as a key factor in efforts to address the many complex issues facing the world today. Its focus on providing a benefit to society as a whole rather than just the owners of the enterprise make it ideal for addressing the global concerns of the environment, healthcare, education, economic growth, and poverty alleviation. This article demonstrates specific examples on how Social Economy Support Centres create policy programmes for social enterprises and support their legal, financial and know-how development.

When Music Changes, so Does the Dance

2021 ◽  
pp. 262-283
Author(s):  
Gözde Morgül ◽  
Mine Afacan Fındıklı
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Social Entrepreneurship ◽  
Critical Value ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Social Value ◽  
Social Entrepreneurs ◽  
Social Actors ◽  
The Social

This chapter examines the role of social enterprises/entrepreneurs from the perspective of the COVID-19 outbreak and discussed the importance of social entrepreneurship. In this context, answers to the following questions are sought: Did social enterprises/entrepreneurs stand out during the COVID-19 era, particularly the social value they created? Do social enterprises/entrepreneurs perform studies especially for groups experiencing social exclusion during the COVID-19 era? The study based on qualitative research reveals that by producing innovative, fast, and effective solutions social initiatives have won the approval of society. The headlines of leading media outlets published between December 2019 and June 2020 and discourses from social actors confirm the rising critical value of social entrepreneurs.

scholarly journals OPEN INNOVATION: SYSTEMATISATION OF KNOWLEDGE EXPLORATION AND EXPLOITATION FOR COMMERCIALISATION

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (03) ◽  
pp. 1750027 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHRISTIAN TABI AMPONSAH ◽  
SAMUEL ADAMS
Keyword(s):  
Open Innovation ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
North African ◽  
Exploration And Exploitation ◽  
Commercial Activities ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Innovation Practices ◽  
Knowledge Exploration ◽  
Innovation Processes

This paper explores the intricacies of various determinants that can be used to systematise open innovation processes as the functional streaming of knowledge, both inbound and outbound, to expedite internal innovation and extricate the market for external use of innovation. Drawing on extant open innovation literature and data collected from organisations on the list of Thomas Reuters Derwent World Patents Index covering North America, Europe, Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North African for their open innovation practices, a model was developed that conceptualises the systematisation of open innovation processes toward commercial activities. The results show that the systematisation of open innovation requires a balancing act of knowledge exploration (KET) and exploitation (KEL) ambidexterity for commercialisation of the firm, and that a relationship exists between these variables. Using the contingency-based approach to organisational development, the paper adds to the understanding of the role of open innovation processes, systematisation, content and context as well as the research and development aspect of open innovation.

Bricolage in Social Entrepreneurship

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 283-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Bacq ◽  
Laurel F. Ofstein ◽  
Jill R. Kickul ◽  
Lisa K. Gundry
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Entrepreneurs ◽  
Entrepreneurial Bricolage ◽  
Societal Problems ◽  
Post Hoc ◽  
Creativity And Innovation

Social entrepreneurs face unique challenges in their dual pursuit of social and financial value creation to address pressing societal problems. While social entrepreneurs' behaviour and actions have been highlighted as an important source of creativity and innovation, this issue has largely been underresearched in the field of entrepreneurship. This paper explores the role of social entrepreneurs' bricolage behaviour in enabling their enterprises to scale their operations. The authors test their hypothesis on a unique database of 123 social enterprises using an online survey. They find a positive relationship between entrepreneurial bricolage and the scaling of social impact. The paper concludes with study implications, post hoc analyses and limitations and directions for future research.

scholarly journals Research and Technology Organizations as Super Intermediaries: A Conceptual Framework for Policy and a Case Study From Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gussai H. Sheikheldin
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Policy Environments ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Innovation Processes

Research and Technology Organizations (RTOs) have key roles in stories of national industrial development in many countries, and in various contexts they have transformed according to changes in their surrounding economic and policy environments. This paper proposes a conceptual framework of ‘RTOs as super intermediaries’ as they play multiple intermediary roles in the triple helix (government, research and industry), the overlap of industrial policy and research policy, and research-industry frontiers. The framework helps in understanding and advancing the role of RTOs in industrial development, particularly in developing countries. For a case study, the paper showcases research in Tanzania that explored possibilities of revamping RTOs and whether investing in them would help in spurring Tanzania's industrial development. Through key informant interviews and systemic literature review, a case study on the challenges and opportunities of RTOs was designed to examine their role and potential in industrial development and technology innovation processes. The study findings were overall in-line with two main lenses of inquiry: 1) that for RTOs to play their key roles in Tanzania, industrial policies shaped by the command economy era before the 1990s need to be reviewed and modified; and 2) that more investment in revamping RTOs will take place if policymaking processes acknowledge RTOs as super intermediaries. To organize policy lessons drawn, a multi-level policy map—micro, meso and macro—was utilized as an analytical tool.

scholarly journals Social Entrepreneurship as a Tool of Sustainable Development

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Jozef Bľanda ◽  
Nataša Urbančíková
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Social Entrepreneurship ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Likert Scale ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Social Entrepreneurs ◽  
Research Results ◽  
Important Benefit

<p><strong>Purpose:</strong> The article deals with the analysis of the perception of social entrepreneurship in Slovakia by social entrepreneurs. The main aim is to identify how social entrepreneurs perceive individual aspects of social entrepreneurship in Slovakia, including the role of social entrepreneurship in sustainable development.</p><p><strong>Methodology/Approach:</strong> The analysis was based on data obtained from a questionnaire survey conducted among social entrepreneurs in Slovakia. The survey was attended by representatives of 35 social enterprises from Slovakia. A seven-point rating of Likert scale used within the questionnaire. The mode, median and interquartile range of answers were used to evaluate the questionnaire.</p><p><strong>Findings:</strong> Social entrepreneurs pointed out that social entrepreneurship is still in development in Slovakia and several obstacles causing this situation. They also agreed that the most important benefit of social entrepreneurship in Slovakia is the effort to solve social problems. The research results show that the priority of social entrepreneurs in Slovakia is not to support sustainable development.</p><p><strong>Research Limitation/implication:</strong> The research was limited by the number of social entrepreneurs who participated in the survey. More than half of social enterprises, registered in Slovakia were not willing to participate in the survey.</p><strong>Originality/Value of paper:</strong> The article brings important findings in the field of social entrepreneurship, which are based on the practical experience of social entrepreneurs in Slovakia.

The Intellectual Capital, Firm Performance and the Moderating Role of Manager Skills

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Hoang Thanh Nhon
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Organizational Capital ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Human And Social Capital ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role

The purpose of this article was to explore the moderating role of the manager skills on the relationship between the intangible capitals and firm performance. Specific aims included (a) to synthesize the prior literatures and definitions related to human, organizational and social capital, firm performance and manager skills, (b) to refine conceptual definitions of the human and social capital with associated conceptual antecedent, organizational capital, and consequences, firm performances, (c) to propose a synthesized conceptual framework guiding the mediated moderation of the manager skills on the relationship between intangible capitals and firm performance. The analysis include data collected from a survey with the total of 370 information communication technology (ICT) firm’s managers. The mediating and moderating techniques are used to analyze the indirect effects of organizational capital on firm performance via human and social capital and the moderating role of manager skills on the relationship between intangible capitals and firm performance. The results show that all intangible capital dimensions have direct impacts on firm performance. In addition, there is the existences of the mediating role of the human and social capital on the relationship between firm performance and organizational capital and moderating role of the manager skills on the relationship between intellectual capital dimensions and firm performance. This is the first paper to examine comprehensively the conceptual framework of the moderating role of manager skills on relationships between intangible capitals and firm performance in ICT sector in a developing country like Vietnam.

scholarly journals Challenging the Menstruation Taboo One Sale at a Time: The Role of Social Entrepreneurs in the Period Revolution

2020 ◽  
pp. 833-851
Author(s):  
Maria Carmen Punzi ◽  
Mirjam Werner
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Social Entrepreneurs ◽  
Media Messaging ◽  
Menstrual Products ◽  
Market Strategies

Abstract Punzi and Werner offer an incisive analysis of the role of social entrepreneurs in the so-called ‘period revolution.’ The authors explore not only the market strategies and social media messaging of social enterprises, but also how other activists in the menstrual equity movement question or support their work. Building on interviews with 35 social entrepreneurs, communication with current and former Femcare employees, and participant observation of menstrual activists, this study provides a 360-degree view of the surprising number of social entrepreneurs who have entered the menstrual products space, their efforts to innovate and disrupt the industry, and the opportunities and potential pitfalls they face.

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