The meanings of social entrepreneurship today

Abstract

Purpose

Aims to explore the historical development and current usages of the concept of social entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper first examines the socio‐political conditions leading to business repositioning in the traditionally governmental role of catering to the financial needs of civil society. It then reviews several models of social entrepreneurship and the leaders who have emerged as social entrepreneurs within those frameworks.

Findings

In discussion the paper questions some of the motives of social entrepreneurs and warns against uncritical acceptance of a blurring of the boundaries between sectors of society.

Research limitations/implications

This is a theoretical paper. Follow‐up research will examine in detail case studies of social entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

Social entrepreneurship is a new and rapidly rising field of practice that is, as yet, under‐researched. This paper synthesizes the limited yet diverse current literature on social entrepreneurship. It also offers a critical perspective that needs to be taken into account before the practice is accepted as a common‐sense salve to social difficulties.

Citation

Roper, J. and Cheney, G. (2005), "The meanings of social entrepreneurship today", Corporate Governance, Vol. 5 No. 3, pp. 95-104. https://doi.org/10.1108/14720700510604733