Paperback
Social Entrepreneurship
A Practice-Based Approach to Social Innovation
9781788974226 Edward Elgar Publishing
This accessible textbook provides a comprehensive guide to the building blocks of sustainable social enterprise, exploring how core elements contribute to either the success or failure of the social venture. It analyzes the key skills needed to synthesize effective business practices with effective social innovation and points out both what works and what does not. Taking a practical approach, it demonstrates how big ideas can be transformed into entities that produce lasting change.
More Information
Critical Acclaim
Contents
More Information
This accessible textbook provides a comprehensive guide to the building blocks of sustainable social enterprise, exploring how core elements contribute to either the success or failure of the social venture. It analyzes the key skills needed to synthesize effective business practices with effective social innovation and points out both what works and what does not. Taking a practical approach, it demonstrates how big ideas can be transformed into entities that produce lasting change.
Key Features:
• Discussion questions and activities to aid student learning and debate
• A multi-part case study that helps students see social enterprise in practice
• Recommended resources sections that encourage students to explore the topic further
• Readable, real-life anecdotes, examples, and analogies that illustrate how social entrepreneurship initiatives operate
• Learning objectives and chapter summaries to guide students through key topics including product development, idea generation, social change theory, marketing, and operating structures
Making the case that social entrepreneurship may be the most effective way to bring about positive changes in society, this textbook will be an essential resource for introductory courses and electives in social entrepreneurship.
Key Features:
• Discussion questions and activities to aid student learning and debate
• A multi-part case study that helps students see social enterprise in practice
• Recommended resources sections that encourage students to explore the topic further
• Readable, real-life anecdotes, examples, and analogies that illustrate how social entrepreneurship initiatives operate
• Learning objectives and chapter summaries to guide students through key topics including product development, idea generation, social change theory, marketing, and operating structures
Making the case that social entrepreneurship may be the most effective way to bring about positive changes in society, this textbook will be an essential resource for introductory courses and electives in social entrepreneurship.
Critical Acclaim
‘Highly recommended. This book admirably defines social entrepreneurship and serves as a gazetteer for practitioners and interested readers by clarifying current practices and providing applicable case studies to illuminate them. The text is clear and concise and conveys complex concepts in an inviting, almost conversational tone particularly well suited to the topic. It is an important and welcome addition to the literature. Undergraduates through faculty; practitioners; general readers.’
– S.A. Schulman, CHOICE
‘Social Entrepreneurship - A Practice-based Approach to Social Innovation is a highly readable text which prefers to focus on the practical rather than be overly theoretical. It would make a great introductory text for those with no previous knowledge, for example a student taking an entrepreneurship/social entrepreneurship module as an optional unit, or for practitioners, those exploring how they might take a social enterprise idea forward who are at an early stage. The practical nature of the book describing common issues and pitfalls with creating and running a social enterprise makes it suitable for those using an action learning approach - ideally where students are able to interact with real social enterprises in parallel with their studies.’
– Robert A. Phillips, Action Learning: Research and Practice
‘Enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of an Appendix featuring an eleven page Sample Business Plan, and a five page Index, ''Social Entrepreneurship: A Practice-Based Approach to Social Innovation'' is extraordinary and thoroughly “student friendly” in organization and presentation. While highly recommended for college and university library Business/Entrepreneurship collections, it should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that the book is also available in a paperback edition.’
– John Taylor, Midwest Book Review
‘Social entrepreneurship continues to prove an impactful organizational model that provides value to multiple stakeholders and reshapes communities and culture. Dr. J. Howard “Jim” Kucher and Dr. Stephanie E. Raible provide readers with the insight and knowledge needed to understand social entrepreneurship as well as offer valuable case studies throughout the text. The information compiled in this book will help all social entrepreneurs hit the ground running as changemakers.’
– Steve McDavid, CEO, The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation
‘J. Howard Kucher and Stephanie E. Raible have put together a roadmap to entrepreneurship that allows the reader to learn from the successes and challenges of local, national, and international efforts. Resources are shared that expand the ability to make a genuine difference. Recognizing the power of social enterprise and its purpose in addressing new challenges, I highly recommend Social Entrepreneurship: A Practice Based Approach to Social Innovation as a necessary resource for the emerging social entrepreneur.’
– Pamela J. King, Open Society Institute-Baltimore, US
– S.A. Schulman, CHOICE
‘Social Entrepreneurship - A Practice-based Approach to Social Innovation is a highly readable text which prefers to focus on the practical rather than be overly theoretical. It would make a great introductory text for those with no previous knowledge, for example a student taking an entrepreneurship/social entrepreneurship module as an optional unit, or for practitioners, those exploring how they might take a social enterprise idea forward who are at an early stage. The practical nature of the book describing common issues and pitfalls with creating and running a social enterprise makes it suitable for those using an action learning approach - ideally where students are able to interact with real social enterprises in parallel with their studies.’
– Robert A. Phillips, Action Learning: Research and Practice
‘Enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of an Appendix featuring an eleven page Sample Business Plan, and a five page Index, ''Social Entrepreneurship: A Practice-Based Approach to Social Innovation'' is extraordinary and thoroughly “student friendly” in organization and presentation. While highly recommended for college and university library Business/Entrepreneurship collections, it should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that the book is also available in a paperback edition.’
– John Taylor, Midwest Book Review
‘Social entrepreneurship continues to prove an impactful organizational model that provides value to multiple stakeholders and reshapes communities and culture. Dr. J. Howard “Jim” Kucher and Dr. Stephanie E. Raible provide readers with the insight and knowledge needed to understand social entrepreneurship as well as offer valuable case studies throughout the text. The information compiled in this book will help all social entrepreneurs hit the ground running as changemakers.’
– Steve McDavid, CEO, The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation
‘J. Howard Kucher and Stephanie E. Raible have put together a roadmap to entrepreneurship that allows the reader to learn from the successes and challenges of local, national, and international efforts. Resources are shared that expand the ability to make a genuine difference. Recognizing the power of social enterprise and its purpose in addressing new challenges, I highly recommend Social Entrepreneurship: A Practice Based Approach to Social Innovation as a necessary resource for the emerging social entrepreneur.’
– Pamela J. King, Open Society Institute-Baltimore, US
Contents
CONTENTS: Foreword by Tom Lumpkin PART I SOCIAL, COMMERCIAL OR BOTH? 1. Crazy little thing called love 2. The basics of entrepreneurship still matter 3. Social entrepreneurship is messy 4. The field is extra-disciplinary PART I CASE STUDY DC Central Kitchen: from barroom to breadline PART II WHO CARES? 5. The basics of product development 6. It springs up from the ground: idea generation and community assets 7. Social Change Theory as product design 8. Outputs or outcomes PART II CASE STUDY DC Central Kitchen: from non-profit to social enterprise PART III WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE? 9. Metrics matter 10. Marketing has three faces PART III CASE STUDY DC Central Kitchen: spread the love PART IV HOW DOES THIS WORK? 11. Finance follows function 12. Form follows function: operating models first, legal structures second 13. Global perspectives on legal and operating structures PART IV CASE STUDY DC Central Kitchen: WHO’S DRIVING THE CART? PART V YOU KNOW IT WHEN YOU SEE IT 14. Don’t worry, be happy PART V CASE STUDY DC Central Kitchen: westward ho! Index
