The Diverse Definitions of Social Entrepreneurship: The Underlying Issues

IF 3 Q2 OPERATIONS RESEARCH & MANAGEMENT SCIENCE

International Journal of Management Science and Engineering Management Pub Date : 2022-10-18 DOI:10.36647/ijsem/09.10.a011

Jonathan Mirvis

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose. A lack of consensus regarding the definition of social entrepreneurship has caused confusion among students and researchers. The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical lens for theoreticians to make informed choices regarding their operational definition of this concept.Design/methodology approach. The paper traces the evolution of the practical and theoretical fields of social entrepreneurship. Thereafter the occurrence of multiple and often contrasting definitions is highlighted. In order to understand the conceptual underpinnings of the different definitions, the following issues are raised:Sould definitions be inclusive or exclusive? Is social entrepreneurship a subcategory of commercial entrepreneurship or is it a parallel one? Which facets of entrepreneurship behavior need to be deployed and what is the social mission? To illustrate these issues, the paper draws upon different definitions, with examples from the field of practice. In addition, it relates to the theoretical literature of commercial entrepreneurship. Thereafter follows a discussion that challenges prevailing definitions.Findings. The different possible responses can explain the diversity in definitions.A key finding is that the differing social enterprise and social innovation orientations may be rooted in alternative understandings of the relationship between social entrepreneurship and commercial entrepreneurship.Originality /value. The questions provide theoreticians with a unique and valuable prism to understand theoretical underpinnings of the different definitions of social entrepreneurship and enable them to make informed decisions regarding their operational definitions.

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社会企业家精神的不同定义:潜在问题

目的。关于社会创业的定义缺乏共识，这在学生和研究人员之间造成了困惑。本文的目的是为理论家提供一个关键的镜头，以便他们对这一概念的操作定义做出明智的选择。设计/方法的方法。本文追溯了社会企业家精神的实践和理论领域的演变。此后，出现了多个且经常是对比的定义。为了理解不同定义的概念基础，提出了以下问题:定义应该是包容性的还是排他性的?社会企业家精神是商业企业家精神的一个子类还是一个平行的子类?企业家行为的哪些方面需要部署?社会使命是什么?为了说明这些问题，本文借鉴了不同的定义，并从实践领域的例子。此外，还涉及到商业创业的理论文献。接下来是一场挑战主流定义的讨论。不同可能的反应可以解释定义的多样性。一个重要的发现是，不同的社会企业和社会创新取向可能植根于对社会企业家精神和商业企业家精神之间关系的不同理解。创意/值。这些问题为理论家提供了一个独特而有价值的棱镜，以理解社会企业家精神不同定义的理论基础，并使他们能够就其操作定义做出明智的决策。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Management Science and Engineering Management OPERATIONS RESEARCH & MANAGEMENT SCIENCE-

CiteScore

8.50

自引率

33.30%

发文量

期刊介绍： International Journal of Management Science and Engineering Management (IJMSEM) is a peer-reviewed quarterly journal that provides an international forum for researchers and practitioners of management science and engineering management. The journal focuses on identifying problems in the field, and using innovative management theories and new management methods to provide solutions. IJMSEM is committed to providing a platform for researchers and practitioners of management science and engineering management to share experiences and communicate ideas. Articles published in IJMSEM contain fresh information and approaches. They provide key information that will contribute to new scientific inquiries and improve competency, efficiency, and productivity in the field. IJMSEM focuses on the following: 1. identifying Management Science problems in engineering; 2. using management theory and methods to solve above problems innovatively and effectively; 3. developing new management theory and method to the newly emerged management issues in engineering; IJMSEM prefers papers with practical background, clear problem description, understandable physical and mathematical model, physical model with practical significance and theoretical framework, operable algorithm and successful practical applications. IJMSEM also takes into account management papers of original contributions in one or several aspects of these elements.