Emergence Of Social Enterprise

'Social Enterprise' and 'Social Entrepreneurship' are concepts that have only recently come into common or official use. As yet, they have no widely accepted definition, nor any precise set of specific characteristics. This book presents the fruits of a four year research project analysing the emergence of social enterprises in all fifteen EU states. By comparing the different national experiences of each country, the book traces the most significant developments in social entrepreneurship emerging in Europe. The work also examines the more traditional non-profit or third sector organisations. The final chapters present an initial attempt to outline a theory of social enterprise. The research confirms that organisations which have simultaneously an entrepreneurial dynamic and a social aim are expanding in many countries. The contributors suggest that these enterprises not only enhance social services in welfare states, but also supply an additional and often innovative provision, mixing public and private resources, and voluntary and paid workers. For these reasons, social enterprises deserve serious attention from policy makers, practitioners and academics interested in a more pluralistic economy and a new Welfare Society.DEFOURNY, BORZOGA & is the author of 'Emergence Of Social Enterprise', published 2004 under ISBN 9780415339216 and ISBN 0415339219.