Opportunity Types, Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether there are differences in the degree of innovation as moderated by the type of opportunity pursued – found or formed – among social and non-social start-ups. The authors aim to further the discussion on opportunity types by drawing on an expansive data set, the Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics I and II, to test the notion of opportunity types and their implications for innovation among social entrepreneurs. The findings suggest that social ventures are, on average, considerably more innovative than other kinds of start-ups. Furthermore, the authors find evidence which suggests that social entrepreneurs pursuing formed opportunities are less likely to be innovative.