Public Policy and the Sustainability of Third Sector Social Enterprises

Abstract

This article examines how public policy is shaping and bolstering small social enterprise sustainability in the UK regions. As government interests in social enterprise activities and contribution to public services delivery grows, the need to provide regional qualitative data that informs policy makers of the challenges and sustainability needs of these organisations is paramount. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and managers in three UK regions to ascertain how policy framework poses challenges and/or boosts small third-sector social enterprise sustainability. The research findings suggest strategies to improve sustainability will include changes in public policy to help these organisations to develop and sustain appropriate effective services. The research contributes to empirical research investigating the insinuation of regional funding variations on small social enterprise development and sustainability.