Social enterprise, social innovation and self-directed care: lessons from Scotland
ISSN: 1750-8614
Article publication date: 10 June 2019
Issue publication date: 21 November 2019
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the opportunities and challenges Self-directed Support policy has presented to Scottish social enterprises, thereby increasing understanding of emerging social care markets arising from international policy-shifts towards empowering social care users to self-direct their care.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used guided conversations with a purposive sample of 19 stakeholders sampled from frontline social care social enterprises; social work; third sector; health; and government.
Findings
An inconsistent social care market has emerged across Scotland as a result of policy change, providing both opportunities and challenges for social enterprises. Social innovation emerged from a supportive partnership between the local authority and social enterprise in one area, but elsewhere local authorities remained change-resistant, evidencing path dependence. Challenges included the private sector “creaming” clients and geographic areas and social enterprises being scapegoated where the local market was failing.
Research limitations/implications
This study involved a small purposively sampled group of stakeholders specifically interested in social enterprise, and hence the findings are suggestive rather than conclusive.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to currently limited academic understanding of the contribution of social enterprise to emerging social care markets arising from the international policy-shifts. Through an historical institutionalism lens, this study also offers new insight into interactions between public institutions and social enterprise care providers. The insights from this paper will support policymakers and researchers to develop a more equitable, sustainable future for social care provision.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Audrey Mutongi was a researcher on this project and is the CEO of a social enterprise delivering social care in Scotland. She was interviewed about the opportunities and challenges her social enterprise has experienced in the SDS social care market, and the data she provided is included in this study.
Funding: Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland RIG007464.
Citation
Henderson, F., Hall, K., Mutongi, A. and Whittam, G. (2019), "Social enterprise, social innovation and self-directed care: lessons from Scotland", Social Enterprise Journal, Vol. 15 No. 4, pp. 438-456. https://doi.org/10.1108/SEJ-12-2018-0080
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited