Framing the inquiry into emerging research directions in social entrepreneurship

Abstract

This chapter is an introduction and overview of the volume, Emerging Research Directions in Social Entrepreneurship. Over the last 10 years, there has been increased interest in social entrepreneurship, which focuses entrepreneurial attention on the launch and growth of businesses that address social problems and social needs. While some limited theory and research exists, for the most part it has been lacking in providing sufficient answers regarding the mix and sequence of factors within a social entrepreneurship program that are likely to bring about the greatest impact. This volume answers such questions as: how do we study and measure the impact of social entrepreneurship efforts? If the mission of social entrepreneurship is to add value in the form of large-scale, transformational benefit to people who are physically, financially, or otherwise unable to solve their own problems, how can social entrepreneurship researchers define and measure success? The first part of this book looks at the essential qualities of social entrepreneurs. What is the identity of a social entrepreneur? The next section investigates the wider impact of social entrepreneurship. How social entrepreneurial organizations create value and impact the various environments in which they operate. Entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurship scholars, and funders are all discussed. Finally, this book looks at the global impact of social entrepreneurship.