The need for the development of social entrepreneurship in the undetermined conditions of war

Abstract

The article examines the development of social entrepreneurship in the uncertain conditions of war. The concept of social entrepreneurship is analyzed along with other forms of activity. It has been established that social entrepreneurship is located between traditional entrepreneurship and charity: it differs from “traditional” entrepreneurship by its goals aimed at social changes and systemic solutions to social problems and from charity by the entrepreneurial nature of its activity. The components of social entrepreneurship are singled out: social problem, values, self-sufficiency, social goal, innovativeness, community involvement, entrepreneurial approach, and social influence. These components help to determine the extent to which the activity is socially oriented and differs from an ordinary business or charitable foundation. There are three main directions of social entrepreneurship in Ukraine, in particular: 1) the creation of jobs for members of certain social groups; 2) the creation of a mechanism for implementing social changes or transformation; 3) the creation of a unique product or service that meets the needs of a particular social group. The main criteria of social entrepreneurship include pronounced entrepreneurial activity, reinvestment of profits, social influence, scalability and replicability, innovations, and systemic changes. It is emphasized that in the context of military operations, social entrepreneurship is one of the practical tools for solving several social problems, as it not only contributes to creating essential jobs but also provides a global impact on society through its social initiatives. In addition, it was emphasized that there is an urgent need to change the current legislation to preserve the positive dynamics of social business development. The conducted research confirmed the gradual increase in the number of social enterprises in Ukraine. In Ukraine, the trend towards social business existed until 2022. However, the full-scale war opened the eyes to the fact that this form of entrepreneurship can effectively solve the problems of those who need support the most. Therefore, today, many Ukrainian businesses have a social mission. Keywords: social entrepreneurship, charity, public organizations, social problems, vulnerable population groups.