Social Entrepreneurship in Theory and Practice—An Introduction

Excerpt

The field of social entrepreneurship has grown exponentially in recent years and has become a social, economic and cultural phenomenon. In light of the current economic crisis, the inability of some governments to meet the social needs of their constituencies, a widening gap between rich and poor in many developed countries, and—for many—a less than appealing, scandal-ridden corporate world, the stories of individuals and groups of individuals who want ‘to change the world’ (Bornstein 2004) are inspiring. The examples of dedicated and visionary entrepreneurs who design solutions for unmet social needs, and whose primary intention is to help others, are a source of hope in markets where traditional forms of capitalism are struggling to rebuild their reputation and legitimacy. …