Social entrepreneurship ecosystem development in extreme contexts: a comparative study of Ukraine and the UK

Abstract

This article underscores the need for social entrepreneurship ecosystem research in extreme contexts to conceptualise the idiosyncrasies of crisis-induced dynamics and ecosystem building during significant disruption. To address these critical research needs, this article develops theoretical understanding through empirical insights from practitioners’ experiences. By integrating my empirical findings, I develop a theoretical framework that illuminates how social entrepreneurs resourcefully navigate institutional contexts by leveraging four key pillars—government policy and regulatory framework, funding and finance, social capital, and educational and scientific potential. This understanding contributes to both theoretical conceptualisation and practical approaches to ecosystem development, particularly in addressing systemic challenges of limited awareness, effective cross-sector collaboration, and financial sustainability. Methodologically, this research employs an inductive, qualitative study through semi-structured interviews with Ukrainian and British social entrepreneurs. Comparative analytical techniques examine how practitioners operating in extreme contexts conceptualise their ecosystem models and navigate complex stakeholder relationships within contrasting institutional environments. This article is published in the Thematic Collection ‘Researchers at Risk: the view from Ukrainians in the UK’.