The Scope for Scaling Up Social Enterprises in China

In Chapter 3, Michael Norton investigates the scope for scaling up social enterprises in China. The chapter establishes both that there is a need and an opportunity for the scaling up of social enterprises in China to meet social, educational, environmental and other needs effectively in what is a huge country. Social enterprises exists in China, and much is being done to encourage and develop these, and to build the capacity in China to support the process. Examples exist of social enterprises which are successfully scaling up. The research together with a number of other linked initiatives seek to promote the opportunity for scaling up successful social enterprises and to suggest ways of providing specialist expertise to encourage and assist the process. The findings indicate a vibrant although still emerging social enterprise sector. The chapter offers a structure for social enterprises to explore the process of scaling up, and is illustrated by examples of emerging and successful social enterprises, including some which are scaling up across China. It also suggests further initiatives for creating a centre of expertise in China for assisting the process of social franchising.