Interaction between social enterprises and key actors shaping the field: experiences from the social and health sectors in Hungary
ISSN: 1750-8614
Article publication date: 11 September 2021
Issue publication date: 4 October 2021
Abstract
Purpose
In Hungary, as in other Central and Eastern European countries, the concept of social enterprise (SE) has attracted increased attention in recent years, with certain key actors shaping the organisational field. This growing interest is largely because of the availability of European Union funds focussing on the work integration of disadvantaged groups but ignoring other possible roles of SEs. This study aims to consider a seldom examined and underfunded area: SEs’ institutional environment and organisational activities in the social and health sectors.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on neoinstitutional theory, the paper uses desk research and qualitative case studies. It presents the experiences of SEs providing social and health services for specific disadvantaged groups.
Findings
This paper identified the key actors influencing the everyday operation of SEs and examined their connections, interactions and partnerships. Based on the findings, SEs primarily depend on the central state, public social and health institutions and local governments. At the same time, their connections with private customers, networks, development and support organisations, third sector organisations and for-profit enterprises are less significant. The key actors have a relevant impact on the legal form, main activities and the financial and human resources of SEs. SEs, however, have little influence on their institutional environment.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to understanding the opportunities and barriers of SEs in Hungary and, more generally, in Central and Eastern Europe, especially regarding their place in social and health services.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the social entrepreneurs in the sample for sharing their experiences, as well as their colleagues at the Department of Decision Sciences, Institute of Business Economics, Corvinus University of Budapest, for their ongoing professional support.
Research funding: The present publication is the outcome of the project “From Talent to Young Researcher project aimed at activities supporting the research career model in higher education”, identifier EFOP-3.6.3-VEKOP-16-2017-00007 co-supported by the European Union, Hungary and the European Social Fund.
Citation
Kiss, J., Krátki, N. and Deme, G. (2021), "Interaction between social enterprises and key actors shaping the field: experiences from the social and health sectors in Hungary", Social Enterprise Journal, Vol. 17 No. 4, pp. 625-646. https://doi.org/10.1108/SEJ-03-2021-0019
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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