Social entrepreneurs open closed worlds: The transformative influence of weak ties

Abstract

The concept of weak versus strong social ties is introduced, including the classical and contemporary definitions as well as the ambiguities related to the operationalization of the definitions. Furthermore, a concept is presented of social entrepreneurship and the way social entrepreneurs build and enhance weak ties in disenfranchised groups and communities. Analogies to chemical processes (using a static as well as a dynamic model) provide a gateway for further research and for modeling the dynamics that measure the strength of social ties. One of the conclusions is that for a harmonious development of groups, communities and societies, a balance between strong and weak ties should be sustained. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.