SBE special issue introduction

Excerpt

The future of social entrepreneurship is replete with opportunities to effectively address, and potentially solve, some of society’s most pressing issues. Whether these problems are found in education, healthcare, housing, energy, or other sectors, it is the social entrepreneur who rises to the challenge and uses his/her ability to recognize, motivate, and mobilize others to collectively take action. Moreover, because the social entrepreneur often operates in resource-scarce environments, he/she is compelled to use creative approaches to attract nontraditional resources and to apply those resources in novel ways to the challenges faced. Finally, it is often the social entrepreneur who encourages a heightened sense of accountability in the individuals and communities he/she serves, as well as instigating the outcomes and impact that are created. …