The world of the social entrepreneur

TLDR

Social entrepreneurship is increasingly used, yet its meaning and scope across business and voluntary sectors remain poorly defined. This paper seeks to map the scope of social entrepreneurship in both business and voluntary sectors. The authors define social entrepreneurs, analyze Duke of York’s Community Initiative charter award projects, and present two case studies to illustrate their activities and impact. The study produces a new map of the social entrepreneur landscape, highlights challenges to achieving the UK’s volunteer goals, and concludes that sector growth is urgent but obstacles persist.

Abstract

The term “social entrepreneurship” is being adopted and used more extensively, but its meaning is not widely understood. In particular, the scope of social entrepreneurship in both business and the voluntary sector has not been mapped effectively. This paper seeks to do this. It begins by defining social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship. Then, using projects considered for a charter award under the Duke of York’s Community Initiative, it looks at what social entrepreneurs do and achieve for the community, at the wide scope of their world, and at the help that is available and needed. The paper includes two case studies of successful social entrepreneurs as a means of drawing out a number of important issues and lessons. It provides a new map for understanding the complexity and the many facets of the world of the social entrepreneur and the voluntary sector. It questions whether the UK government’s stated desire for an “explosive act” of volunteering can happen without more substantial support, and concludes that whilst the growth of this sector is urgent and vital, a number of hurdles remain to be overcome.