Emerald | Social Enterprise Journal

Social enterprise and social entrepreneurship research and theory: A bibliometric analysis from 1991 to 2010

Maria L. Granados, Vlatka Hlupic, Elayne Coakes, Souad Mohamed — 2011-11-15 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a detailed analysis of the social enterprises (SE) and social entrepreneurship (SEship) literature that has been published in international journals from 1991 to 2010, determining the intellectual structure of both fields and their maturity as academic fields of study. Design/methodology/approach – Using a quantitative methodology for literature study, named bibliometric analysis, relevant papers were obtained from three important international databases, and SE and SEship journals. An initial number of 1,343 records were identified and, after applying various filters, a total of 286 papers were studied for bibliometric indicators and epistemological orientation. Findings – The study identified a significant increase in the scholarly investigation of SE and SEship in recent years, together with greater collaboration and international research. It was demonstrated that some countries are dominating the SE and SEship research area, such as the UK and the USA, whereas institutional and individual research output is spread more equally. Currently, no author or institution dominates the SE and SEship literature. The epistemological orientation suggests that the published literature is largely of a theoretical and descriptive nature in both fields, with only a small number of predictive papers. Originality/value – This paper provides important contributions. First, it presents an intellectual structure of SE and SEship as a discipline. Second, it determines the current maturity of the field based on its epistemological orientation, concluding that SE and SEship are maturing, with theory development followed by empirical testing and validation generating an increase in consensus on the boundaries of the field.

Reflections on social enterprise and the Big Society

John Thompson — 2011-11-15 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this reflective paper is to examine the implications for the UK of Prime Minister David Cameron's declared belief that a Big Society of community entrepreneurs and volunteers will take on more and more responsibilities. Sometimes policies are spelt out in detail; this was much more conceptual and perhaps visionary. Design/methodology/approach – Ideas on sense making and performance evaluation were used to provide a context and explore how various people might be expected to react. Findings – Whilst the limited funding which accompanies the Big Society initiative will attract entrepreneurial opportunists who will be encouraged to bid for this money, if this new challenge is to succeed it must attract community entrepreneurs who see it as encouragement to start some new local initiative. Volunteering will be central to this. Positive outcomes are by no means certain. Research limitations/implications – As things emerge and develop there will be a number of opportunities for detailed and perhaps longitudinal research into the relative success or failure of the Big Society and this devolved approach to community enterprise. Practical implications – Talking about the Big Society and thinking about the possibilities might well encourage would-be community entrepreneurs to step forward. Originality/value – It has been argued previously that “entrepreneurship enablers” are important in economic and social regeneration. They help make it possible for would-be entrepreneurs to emerge and succeed. This short paper expands on this argument.

Understanding accountability in social enterprise organisations: a framework

Ciaran Connolly, Martin Kelly — 2011-11-15 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – Social enterprise organisations (SEOs) operate across the boundaries of the public, private and not-for-profit (NFP) sectors in delivering public services and competing for resources and legitimacy. While there is a rich literature on accountability in the private and public sectors, together with the wider NFP sector, SEOs have received comparatively little attention and remain a relatively under-researched organisational form. Drawing on accountability, legitimacy and user-needs theories, the purpose of this paper is to develop a practical framework which can be used to explore how accountability within SEOs is constructed and discharged. Design/methodology/approach – This paper draws on user-needs, accountability, legitimacy and impression management theories expounded in relation to the private, public and NFP sectors. Findings – A framework to better understand how accountability can be discharged by SEOs is developed and discussed. Research limitations/implications – While a framework for better understanding SEO accountability is presented, it is not empirically tested. However, the framework has the potential to facilitate a deeper appreciation of the theory and practice of accountability within SEOs and, notwithstanding the inherent difficulties in measuring and managing accountability, could be used to stimulate practitioner involvement. Practical implications – As little is known about the current extent of SEO information disclosure or accountability relationships, the framework could be used to assess the discharge of accountability by SEOs, with the findings informing future developments. This should provide useful insights into internal processes and organisational views on accountability bases and mechanisms and can then be used to inform the debate on how SEOs can best discharge their duty to account. Social implications – Understanding the nature of SEO accountability reporting has important implications for those involved in advancing the SEO agenda. At a time of public sector cutbacks, and with the government searching for new and more effective ways of delivering services, the role of SEOs in this process is likely to receive greater attention and scrutiny. Originality/value – SEOs have grown extensively in size and prominence in recent years and policymakers have come to embrace the role that they play in societal development. This paper responds to a gap in the theoretical literature and contributes to the debate by developing a framework which can be empirically tested. Moreover, it can be used to prompt practitioner involvement and facilitate a better understanding of the complex issues surrounding accounting and accountability in this under-researched area.

Angels on the head of a pin: The SAC framework for performance measurement in social entrepreneurship ventures

Michelle D. Lane, Maureen Casile — 2011-11-15 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – By proposing a comprehensive measurement framework, this paper attempts to move the nascent body of theoretical and empirical work on performance measurement in social entrepreneurship ventures (SEVs) into reach for practitioners. The purpose of this paper is to help social entrepreneurs and academics put current knowledge to work to gain usable feedback about the success of operations. Design/methodology/approach – This paper offers a framework for measuring firm survival, social action, and social change in SEVs based on a review of theoretical and empirical work. Findings – Early work in SEV performance measurement shows consensus that social impact is at least as important as organizational viability, albeit more difficult to measure. The SEV measurement framework developed herein creates the link between firm viability (Survival), direct social action (Action), and long-term social impact on the technical, political, and cultural aspects of society (Change) leading to the SAC framework. Originality/value – The framework proposed in the paper gives practitioners a guide for comprehensive performance measurement based on their unique organizational mission using the SAC model. Widespread use of a measurement tool that addresses viability, action, and impact, may ultimately improve the efficiency with which SEVs attack social problems.

Multi-stakeholder co-operatives in China: a resource mix structure approach

Li Zhao, Caroline Gijselinckx — 2011-11-15 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the emergence of new, multi-stakeholder co-operatives in China and identify their resource mix structure, as well as the influence of institutional environments. The empirical observations are related to a conceptual rationale of social enterprises as private businesses, and it is suggested that the new rural co-operatives found in China are increasingly caught in a “co-operative trilemma” and an emerging public–private “welfare partnership”. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is developed from a conceptual rationale of social enterprises as private businesses that are not primarily driven by financial profit but by a combination of economic and social objectives, whereby stakeholders from various institutional spheres (market, state and civil society) are increasingly involved. Based upon this, the paper analyses and synthesizes the main findings from 20 cases investigated during fieldwork conducted in China. Data were gathered through a combination of semi-structured interviews with key figures in the field and documentary analysis. Findings – The main findings show that new co-operatives in China indeed combine multiple resources, including members’ contributions and institutional capital, public financial support and market sales, as well as private non-market resources such as volunteering and donations. This empirical observation provides further evidence of the transformation process of Chinese rural co-operatives from classic mutual aids to a new model with a more outward community orientation and a multi-stakeholder character. Moreover, it was found that institutional environments facilitate or discourage co-operatives’ multiple resources formation. Based upon this empirical evidence it is seen how new Chinese rural co-operatives are caught in a “co-operative trilemma”, finding themselves “at the crossroads of market, public policy and civil society” and involved in an emerging public-private “welfare partnership”. Research limitations/implications – The research has implications for research on co-operatives and social enterprises in China, as well as policy implications with regard to the development of more favourable institutional support for co-operatives as rural third-sector organizations. Originality/value – By addressing three research questions the paper contributes to the literature on the emergence of multi-stakeholder co-operatives in China (and in developing countries more generally) and contributes to the literature on the capital structure of co-operatives from practice and policy perspectives. Based upon evidence from China, the paper helps to explain how these newly emerging rural co-operatives in China, which are struggling against capital constraints when facing a highly competitive environment and trying to catch up through a process of diversification, just like many contemporary co-operatives in the West, are finding themselves caught in a new co-operative trilemma.

Third edition editorial 2011

2011-11-15 00:00:00.0