Download - From The Ground Up
From the Ground Up:Case studies and theory in
the emerging field of social entrepreneurship
Presentation of the Thesis requirement for a Masters of Arts in Liberal Studies Dartmouth College
Masters Candidate: Lauren Meiklejohn
Presentation Outline
I. Introduction to social entrepreneurship (SE)
II. Central research question
III. Method of analysis
IV. Case study presentation: La Mujer Obrera
V. Discussion and conclusion
What is Social Entrepreneurship (SE)?
• A single specific academic definition has not yet been agreed upon.
• All definitions contain two basic characteristics, combining in some manner:
– A socially driven mission – Revenue generation
Central research question
• Is it possible that SE represents a shift in the relationship between civil society and the market, at both a functional and theoretical level?– Reprioritization of objectives? – Shift in expected standards of social responsibility of institutions that make up the market?
Breakdown of the central question:
– How SE has impacted wellbeing, social cohesion and civil society in communities where it is being practiced (Wallace, 1999)?
– Does it stimulate development by increasing local access to global markets and more equal dispersion of global business/access to capital?
– Is SE a signal of the emergence of a new ‘sector’ within the existing socio-political economic structure, or is it the beginning of change in the larger existing structure?
Working definition
• “Innovative and effective activity that focuses strategically on resolving social market failures and creating new opportunities to add social value systematically by using a range of resources and organizational formats to maximize social impact and bring about change” (Nicolls, Cho 2006).
Case Studies
• Tapetes de Lana-Mora, New Mexico
• La Mujer Obrera -El Paso, Texas
• La Cambalacha -San Marcos, Sololá Guatemala
Case Studies
• Tapetes de Lana-Mora, New Mexico
• La Mujer Obrera -El Paso, Texas
• La Cambalacha -San Marcos, Sololá Guatemala
System of organization analysis:
Organizational profile
Social contextprofile
Institutional analysis:-formal -informal
Theory of structuration(A. Giddens)
Organizational analysis of case studies
Organizational Profile: objectives and operational models
Figure 1.3 Organizational Profile: Infrastructure, objectives and operational model
Organization 1 Organization 2 Organization 3
Catalyst/ reason for formation of SEO
Decision making structure: consensus or executive
Population served by SEO
Sources of funding
Community outreach
Civic participation
Type of product or service offered
Impacts on local economy
Relationship to global economy
Social Context Profile
• Human Development Indicators– local– regional – National
• Is socially oriented public policy present?– local– regional – National
• Government support (y/n) & type of support for org.• Strength of local civil society
Social Institutions
FormalGovernment: Federal,
State, Municipal
Economic System
Legal System
Religious Organizations
Civil Society Organizations
InformalAttitudes and behaviors formed by persistent, long term poverty
Presence of systemitized social prejudice not explicitly endorsed by the state
Corrupt exercise of power
Normative societal perceptions of government, the economic system and civil society
Participation in civil society
Theory of structuration
StateInst.
Market Insitutions
Civil
society\
indiv
Social Institutions
Agents/Agency
La Mujer Obrera - El Paso, Texas
1. History and photographs
2. Social Context Indicators Table
3. Organizational model
Fig. 2.1 Human Development Indicators Comparison U.S Texas El Paso
Av. Household Income
$50,007 $39,927 $32,046
% of Population with High School Diploma or higher
85.9% 75.5% 68.9%
% Unemployment
7.2% 6% 9%
% Female Single-head Households with children <18
7.9% 10.3% 12.1%
% Persons Below poverty line
13.3% 15.4% 24.6%
% Children below poverty line
18.3% 20.5% 20.2%
Source: 2000 Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Case Study: La Mujer Obrera, El Paso Texas
SE Organizational Model
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• Emergent from local level led by an individual or community initiative, reflecting at least to some degree the local culture and customs.
• Each specific organization is affected by, and is a response to, the process of globalization in distinct and sometimes indirect way.
• Balance of social mission and revenue generation reflects the needs and mental model of each specific community.
Observations derived from the case studies
Points for comparison
• Innovative, resolving social market failures and creating new opportunities to add social value, using a range of resources and organizational formats to maximize social impact and bring about change
• Each organization was started by women and are directed by women
• Each organization has achieved various degrees of self sufficiency
• Each organization reflects local needs and culture
• Each organization focuses on education and leadership skills
•Business•Civil society and leadership•Employment opportunities
In conclusion
• Evidence suggests a growing interest both at the community and academic level in the emergence of a more ethical, multifaceted approach to economic development
• Social entrepreneurship is developing across the globe, predominantly as a response to failures in the provision of social goods by both the market and the state
• Increased will to develop and implement organizations that follow a socially entrepreneurial model
• Social entrepreneurship, represents varied types of organizations that have diverse missions, operating strategies target populations and funding structures. However they all share an underlying foundation, each of these organizations provides social services in underserved communities using innovative and non-traditional strategies
Social entrepreneurship is an attempt to shift the role of the economy in society; from one in which people are at the disposal of the economy, to another, where the economy serves to develop people and their communities.