Social enterprise as a model for change: mapping a global cross-disciplinary framework

Abstract

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, social enterprise has experienced a renaissance. In public policy circles, entrepreneurship and innovation are perceived as economic development tools, and in many parts of the world, as catalysts for change that can have a real impact by increasing employment in communities as well as environmental challenges. At a local level, entrepreneurship and innovation enable communities to stay vibrant due to social enterprise organisations offering much-needed goods and services. Social enterprise has been acknowledged as a solution to social inequality and environmental issues in society as it develops new areas of empowerment in local communities. Central to the success of social enterprise is education, training, and the engagement of the higher education sector. Traditionally, entrepreneurship and innovation have fundamentally been entrenched within the business subject area, but have now emerged within other disciplines such as criminology, health and social care, geography, sociology, and politics. The aim of this paper is to map out a new, global, cross-disciplinary framework from a teaching and learning perspective. The authors of this paper call for global empowerment of entrepreneurship education in the higher education sector, using examples from different countries across the world, specifically Ghana, India, and the UK. This paper sets out the vital importance of entrepreneurship in teaching and learning, by showcasing what can be achieved. In this paper, the authors develop and propose a new pedagogical social enterprise model that incorporates and emphasises the ethos of ‘think globally, act locally’ in a sustainability context.

The social and solidarity economy as a partner along the refugee journey

“…In Türkiye, the European Union-funded Erasmus+ project in Şanlıurfa provides an example of the SSE's significant contribution to asylum seekers' social inclusion in host communities. Supported by the Turkish National Agency under the implementation of Şanlıurfa Technocity, it promotes the interaction of young asylum seekers with local inhabitants by providing a comprehensive training focused on social enterprises and mentorship services, including a social entrepreneurship curriculum (Gülerce, Girasella and Skoufi, 2021 [80]).…”

Environmental and social responsibility management in international entrepreneurship in EU countries

“…In the context of entrepreneurship and the economic system, sustainable development requires that enterprises not only achieve profit, but also consider the social and environmental consequences of their activities [11]. This means that businesses must implement sustainable production practices, reduce negative environmental impact, use resources efficiently, and promote social well-being [12].…”