Investigating the Phenomenon of Social Entrepreneurship
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15678/Keywords:
social entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship theory, market failure theory, socio-economic problemsAbstract
Background: Social entrepreneurship has been gaining ground in the economic and political spheres since the 1980s, thanks to the efforts of powerful foundations such as Ashoka or the Grameen Bank, which has aroused the interest of the scientific community in this phenomenon. Since the 1990s, a number of research studies on social entrepreneurship have emerged, giving rise to several definitions, conceptions and theoretical readings, ranging from economics to anthropology. Despite this, the field of social entrepreneurship has failed to develop a standardized theory, leaving the field open to different interpretations from different disciplines.
Research objectives: The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that social entrepreneurship as a concept lies at the crossroads of two theories of economics: entrepreneurship and market failure. We explain to what extent are the theories of entrepreneurship and market failure suitable for explaining social entrepreneurship?.
Research design and methods: We conducted a bibliometric analysis, involving the application of statistical methods to ascertain both qualitative and quantitative shifts in a specific scientific research domain. This process aimed to delineate the publication landscape pertaining to the subject matter and identify emerging trends within the discipline.
Results: The paper highlights the need for a standardized theory and better integration of perspectives in social entrepreneurship research, emphasizing the importance of understanding social value creation, long-term effects, and contextual influences.
Conclusions: The research reveals that social entrepreneurship is a developing and diverse field marked by a lack of standardized frameworks and fragmented theories, with a focus on creating social rather than economic value. It underscores the importance of entrepreneurial qualities in addressing societal needs and highlights the need for nuanced policies that support both entrepreneurial processes and societal impact.
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