Research on social entrepreneurship is finally catching up to its rapidly growing potential. In The Search for Social Entrepreneurship, Paul Light explores this surge of interest to establish the state of knowledge on this growing phenomenon and suggest directions for future research. Light begins by outlining the debate on how to define social entrepreneurship, a concept often cited and lauded but not necessarily understood. A very elemental definition would note that it involves individuals, groups, networks, or organizations seeking sustainable change via new ideas on how governments, nonprofits, and businesses can address significant social problems. That leaves plenty of gaps, however, and without adequate agreement on what the term means, we cannot measure it effectively. The unsatisfying results are apple-to-orange comparisons that make replication and further research difficult. The subsequent section examines the four main components of social entrepreneurship: ideas, opportunities, organizations, and the entrepreneurs themselves. The copious information available about each has yet to be mined for lessons on making social entrepreneurship a success. The third section draws on Light's original survey research on 131 high-performing nonprofits, exploring how they differ across the four key components. The fourth and final section offers recommendations for future action and research in this burgeoning field.

Migrant women stepping into ethnic catering; homeless men employed to take care of bees producing honey for sale; young people on the edge getting microcredit funding to start social businesses; or former criminals joining forces to create social and economic structures for an honest lifestyle. These initiatives capture the transformative power of social enterprise and might indicate how social enterprises have the potential to make a difference for people and societies. The Nordic countries represent an interesting case. Social enterprises and co-operatives played a significant part in paving the way for the Nordic solicaristic welfare state. As the welfare state grew, civil society organizations and co-operatives lost ground, to a certain extent. But in recent decades, the welfare state has been restructured and, simultaneously, the concepts social entrepreneurship and social enterprises have gained attention. The Nordic context, with extensive public welfare structures and a high degree of citizens’ participation in public affairs, might affect the emergence of social entrepreneurship and social enterprises.

Tackling one of the hottest topics in business today, experts share practical insights about how to finance, market, manage, and assess a social entrepreneurship venture to create a new organization that can do well and do good. Social entrepreneurship is the practice of using the mindset, tools, techniques, and processes of entrepreneurship to confront pressing social issues—an intriguing concept that American business is just beginning to understand. Social Entrepreneurship: How Businesses Can Transform Society brings together a group of expert contributors who offer the very latest thinking about the tremendous potential of this rapidly growing field. Unlike other books on the subject that tend to be merely descriptive and/or inspirational, this set comprises three hands-on, how-to volumes that dig deeply into the major factors that impact social entrepreneurship. Each volume addresses one of three important aspects of setting up and running a successful enterprise: legal/organizational structure; marketing; and performance measurement and management. The author examines root concepts in detail, and spotlights opportunities, challenges, and the considerations involved in implementation. Practitioners will especially appreciate the set's practical insights and the contributors' efforts to link theory to practice in a way that facilitates effective action.

This book takes an inside-out approach to examine the broad topic of social entrepreneurship. Instead of looking inward at what social entrepreneurship is, this book looks forward from the view of successful social entrepreneurs to answer the important question, “Where is social entrepreneurship going next?” First, the volume looks at the essential qualities of social entrepreneurs, including the importance of humility as a trait in the social entrepreneur, the way in which social entrepreneurs define themselves as such, and if and how opportunity recognition differs in social and traditional entrepreneurs. Next, the volume looks at the impact of social entrepreneurial businesses on individuals but also on the supply chain, other businesses and the wider community. Next, the book explores social entrepreneurship and global change. This rare and compelling section, offers key insights and lessons in the development and promotion of social entrepreneurship in the global economy. This volume addresses both theory and research, suggesting practical solutions. It engages scholars and practitioners across disciplines in an examination and debate about various methods and approaches of enacting programs of social change.

The field of social entrepreneurship is attracting attention from multiple industries. Social entrepreneurs are responsible for finding ways to creatively contribute to society by providing affordable products and services. Creating Business Value and Competitive Advantage With Social Entrepreneurship is a useful scholarly resource that examines the broad topic of social entrepreneurship by looking at relevant theoretical frameworks and fundamental terms. Focused on topics such as creating business value, promoting social entrepreneurship, and enacting programs of social change, this book provides the latest research and practical solutions concerning social entrepreneurship. The source proves valuable to academicians, researchers, entrepreneurship practitioners, and individuals interested in learning more about social entrepreneurship.

Education programs in social entrepreneurship helps to create and fill jobs devoted to developing the local economy, which has become a dual transfer strategy by which a virtuous circle occurs between a retrofitted educational system based on social entrepreneurship, and vocational students who are highly entrepreneurial. The Handbook of Research on Social Entrepreneurship and Solidarity Economics focuses on practical experience and theoretical models for popularizing the concept of social entrepreneurship as a critical element of economic growth. Emphasizing the ways in which social entrepreneurship benefits developing regions, small and medium enterprises, and low-income communities, this handbook of research is a pivotal reference source for professionals, academics, and graduate-level students in the fields of economics, business administration, sociology, education, politics, and international relations.

Electronic Inspection Copy available for instructors here The emergence of social enterprises over the past 25 years has been an exciting and significant development in the economy at a local, national and international level. How should we understand the growing popularity of social enterprise? Are alternative business models even more relevant in an uncertain business climate? How does Social Enterprise fit into the wider social context? In 12 comprehensive chapters the authors discuss and illustrate both theoretical and practical considerations for the field. The book: - Focuses on different and distinct approaches to Social Enterprise and social economy - Contains comprehensive coverage of employee-owned, cooperative, community and charitable enterprises - Looks at private, voluntary and public sector differences. - Examines managerial issues for social enterprises: strategic thinking, leadership, HRM, governance and globalisation. - Draws on international debates and examples. - Includes extensive learning features such as: summaries, international case studies, reflection boxes, further reading and links to online information about social enterprise projects. - Is accompanied by a companion website with a full instructors’ manual, including PowerPoint slides and extra case studies for lecturers, and access to full-text journal articles for students. Visit the companion website at www.sagepub.co.uk/ridleyduff