Peace Entrepreneurs and Social Entrepreneurship

This timely book comprises detailed personal narratives of entrepreneurs who have worked towards peace in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. It begins by offering an innovative framework of analysis based on scientific knowledge about social entrepreneurs, defining ‘peace entrepreneurship’ and mapping its unique characteristics. It also explains the narrative methodology used, and provides a short history of the conflict in the region.

The book focuses on 11 life stories of Israeli and Palestinian entrepreneurs who have strived for peace through social ventures. Chapters discuss the various forms of social activism that peace entrepreneurs have pursued, the challenges that they have faced and the motivations behind their ventures. The authors conclude by considering the similarities and differences across the stories, offering insights into what drives people to act as peace entrepreneurs and what sustains their activities in the face of ongoing conflict.

Documenting rousing and inspirational life narratives, this book is crucial for scholars and researchers of social entrepreneurship who are searching for new avenues of inquiry into ventures in a conflict context. It will also provide motivational reading for other practitioners of peace entrepreneurship, as well as policymakers working with social entrepreneurs in conflict zones.