A Mixed-Method Study of Programme Management Resources and Social Enterprise Sustainability: A Developing-Country Context

Abstract

This research investigates the relationship between enterprise environmental factors (EEFs) and programme management (PgM) resources, and subsequently how PgM resources and sustainability integrate into social enterprise. With a resource-based view (RBV) concept as the theoretical starting point, a systematic literature review identified EEFs relating to PgM resources, and PgM resources relating to sustainability in private and public organisations. A mixed-method research approach was used that is founded on a sequential exploratory strategy. In the preliminary phase, meta qualitative analysis was conducted; in the second phase, 16 semi structured interviews were undertaken to customise and confirm the concepts by using thematic analysis within 4 selected case studies. In the final phase, the model was validated by a survey that returned (n = 302) completed questionnaires from around Pakistan, and the used method of analysis was PLS-SEM. These research findings highlight that PgM resources within social enterprises are highly influential and dependent on external and internal EEFs, and that PgM resources are critical to consider for social enterprise sustainability. In addition, this study highlights that PgM resources positively influence social, economic, and environmental sustainability in SEs. Furthermore, this study developed a validated novel theoretical framework.

Exploring the soft shades of sustainability: evidence from Italian companies

“…with little attention to soft ones (Cosimato and Vona, 2021; Mudulli et al ., 2021). This major focus on the “hard” dimensions of sustainability underlines the poor attention dedicated to its social dimension and the related issues mainly dealing with social equity, people care protection and personal development at all stages of society and, consequently, of business (Shah et al ., 2022). It follows that the material implications of a sustainable approach to policy, business and the environment through a “technical storyline”, lacking any references to the importance of human contribution, is no more sufficient for a comprehensive approach to sustainably grand challenges.…”