Understanding Social Enterprise
Theory and Practice
- Rory Ridley-Duff - Sheffield Hallam University, UK
- Mike Bull - Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
Organization Studies | Public & Nonprofit Management | Small Business/Entrepreneurship
The emergence of social enterprises over the past 35 years has been an exciting and significant development in the economy at a local, national and international level. How should we understand the growing popularity of social enterprise and the wider social economy? Are alternative business models even more relevant in an uncertain business climate? Do they provide a robust response to periods of state 'austerity'? How do social enterprises contribute to global initiatives to improve the sustainability and responsibility of the business community?
Through discussion of theoretical and practical considerations for the field, and a wealth of learning features, this 2nd edition of Understanding Social Enterprise:
- Focuses on the distinct pathways that social enterprises follow, critiquing the competencies and practices that contribute to a successful social economy
- Contains updated coverage on sector issues, including the recent development of the social investment industry
- Explores how private, voluntary and public sector agencies engage the social economy, and how distinctive new forms have emerged from it
- Examines the management of social enterprises in different contexts within the social economy
- Contains updated coverage of international issues informed by global studies of the social economies.
Revisions include a new, tripartite structure and two new chapters on 'Marketing and Measuring Social Value' and 'Social Investment and Crowd Funding'.
Visit the companion website for sample curricula, instructors’ manual, PowerPoint slides and extra case studies for lecturers, and access to full-text journal articles for students.
Supplements
The first edition of this book has become a standard resource. I am thrilled to see that the second edition makes a strong connection to the theme of responsible management, about which there is much to say in the social enterprise context.
A comprehensive overview of social enterprise – from its history and development to integrated accounting, investment models and governance. You will come out on the other side ready to lead change and question the norms of traditional market approaches.
An important contribution to social enterprise scholarship that is also of considerable interest to practitioners and policy makers. Its integration of management frameworks, social theory and public policy approaches provides a fresh set of perspectives and insights on this increasingly influential sector.
Understanding Social Enterprise presents complex and unified analysis of the topic which will allow both academic and nonacademic readers to reflect deeply on social enterprise as legitimately comprising a fourth sector as opposed to a subsector or a hybrid between the public and the private sectors.
This book is a must read for scholars, practitioners, and students of social enterprise and/or social entrepreneurship to understand the theoretical, managerial, and practical complexities these firms embrace to achieve success. Innovation purpose and mutuality/reciprocity are collaborative dimensions which can transform the maturing field of social enterprise.?????????
Excellent overview of theory and practice for social entrepreneurs
This book covers all the important topics that students need to know about Social Enterprise. In addition, it uses a plain-academic language that helps students to get slowly introduced into academia work.
Theory is relevant to course at level 6. In-depth but also suited to Level 5 students . Like the approach to activities and extra reading material.
It is a wonderful book which summarizes recent pieces of knowledge in a very construictive and innovative way.
