an article by Susana Bernardino and J. Freitas Santos (Polytechnic Institute of Oporto, Porto, Portugal) and J. Cadima Ribeiro (University of Minho, Braga, Portugal) published in International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship Volume 10 Issue 1 (2018)
Abstract
Purpose
Research on economic entrepreneurship identifies a gender gap that is favorable to men. In the social entrepreneurship arena, the existing evidence is slightly fuzzy, as this gender gap is less preeminent. This paper aims to identify how gender differences in social entrepreneurial ventures creation are explained by different personality traits, by analyzing the extent to which female and male social entrepreneurs exhibit the same personality traits and whether potential differences are able to explain the differences in predisposition for the creation of new social entrepreneurial ventures.
Design/methodology/approach
A review of the literature on gender differences and personality traits in social entrepreneurship details the main theoretical developments and builds the hypotheses. Based on the Big Five model, the investigation uses a hypothesis testing quantitative approach. Primary data were collected through a questionnaire that was e-mailed and applied to the social entrepreneurs engaged in the creation of social ventures in Portugal.
Findings
The data gathered suggest that both female and male social entrepreneurs have personalities characterized by high levels of openness to experience, agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion and emotional stability. Based on the analysis of variance (ANOVA) between the two groups and logistic regression, the investigation reveals that women and men who launch a new social venture only differ in one personality dimension – agreeableness – wherein women scored more highly. No significant differences are found in the other personality traits.
Research limitations/implications
The research assumes that most aspects of human personality structure are represented in the Big Five model.
Practical implications
The knowledge about whether gender differences are explained by different personality traits is critical to public entities that might design appropriate public policies to stimulate social entrepreneurship. Also, social entrepreneurs’ capacity building programs should be delineated in accordance with a deeper understanding about gender and personality traits differences.
Social implications
The knowledge of the factors that affects the creation of new social ventures has an important potential contribution on social value creation and the promotion of gender equality.
Originality/value
This paper links two important topics – gender and entrepreneurs’ personality traits – scarcely explored in the social entrepreneurship literature. Thus, the paper adds new empirical evidence to support (or not) the belief that personality and gender matter in the decision to launch a new social venture.
Showing posts with label social_entrepreneurship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label social_entrepreneurship. Show all posts
Wednesday, 21 March 2018
Saturday, 16 September 2017
Distinguishing game changers from boastful charlatans: Which social enterprises measure their impact?
an article by
Karen Maas (Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands) and Cecilia Grieco (LUMSA University, Rome Italy)
published in
Journal of Social Entrepreneurship
Volume 8 Issue 1 (2017)
Abstract
Social entrepreneurship (SE) is a beautiful and growing vehicle in society to tackle social problems in innovative ways. Unfortunately, existing research has failed to address to what extent SEs are truly living up to their promises. In result, surprisingly little is known about the actual success of SEs in creating social impact.
Even more elementary, it is hard to know whether SEs are measuring and monitoring their social impact. Using a worldwide sample of 3.194 SEs from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) data this study provides unique insights, as it represents the first global and harmonized assessment of the practice of impact measurement of SEs.
Findings show that about 33% of the SEs in the sample do measure their impact.
Furthermore, the results show a significant positive relation between economic mission, size and innovativeness of the SE and impact measurement.
The relation between social mission and impact measurement show a significant negative result. These results can be seen as a starting point in investigating the actual practice of SEs involvement in impact measurement and opens up interesting avenues for future research.
Abstract
Social entrepreneurship (SE) is a beautiful and growing vehicle in society to tackle social problems in innovative ways. Unfortunately, existing research has failed to address to what extent SEs are truly living up to their promises. In result, surprisingly little is known about the actual success of SEs in creating social impact.
Even more elementary, it is hard to know whether SEs are measuring and monitoring their social impact. Using a worldwide sample of 3.194 SEs from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) data this study provides unique insights, as it represents the first global and harmonized assessment of the practice of impact measurement of SEs.
Findings show that about 33% of the SEs in the sample do measure their impact.
Furthermore, the results show a significant positive relation between economic mission, size and innovativeness of the SE and impact measurement.
The relation between social mission and impact measurement show a significant negative result. These results can be seen as a starting point in investigating the actual practice of SEs involvement in impact measurement and opens up interesting avenues for future research.
Friday, 2 August 2013
Social and Commercial Ventures: A Comparative Analysis of Sustainability
an article by Eli Gimmon (Department of Economics and Management, Tel-Hai College, Upper Galilee, Israel) and Shimon Spiro (Department of Economics and Management, Tel-Hai College, Upper Galilee, Israel and Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel) published in Journal of Social Entrepreneurship Volume 4 Issue 2 (July 2013)
Abstract
This study explores common and different aspects of sustainability, in terms of survival and growth, between social and commercial ventures.
The effects of nonhuman factors between a sample of social ventures and a sample of commercial ventures taken from the same environment in Israel were compared.
Social ventures showed higher likelihood to survive and grow.
Findings exhibit interesting similarities between the two types of entrepreneurship in regard to the significant effect of early market or community acceptance and the non-effect of early funding diversity on venture long-term sustainability.
Further research is suggested to substantiate these findings and to explore other aspects of comparison between social and commercial entrepreneurship.
Hazel’s comment:
There would, of course, also need to be research to ensure that the findings are replicable in other environments, e.g. the UK.
Abstract
This study explores common and different aspects of sustainability, in terms of survival and growth, between social and commercial ventures.
The effects of nonhuman factors between a sample of social ventures and a sample of commercial ventures taken from the same environment in Israel were compared.
Social ventures showed higher likelihood to survive and grow.
Findings exhibit interesting similarities between the two types of entrepreneurship in regard to the significant effect of early market or community acceptance and the non-effect of early funding diversity on venture long-term sustainability.
Further research is suggested to substantiate these findings and to explore other aspects of comparison between social and commercial entrepreneurship.
Hazel’s comment:
There would, of course, also need to be research to ensure that the findings are replicable in other environments, e.g. the UK.
Monday, 4 February 2013
Social innovation: An exploration of the barriers faced by innovating organizations in the social economy
an article by Dominic Chalmers (University of Strathclyde, UK) published in Local Economy Volume 28 Number 1 (February 2013)
Abstract
Social and community-based organisations are increasingly viewed as wellsprings of valuable social innovations.
Government policies, most notably David Cameron’s Big Society initiative, have entrenched the concept of localism across the UK, and the move towards smaller government has placed the onus on communities to creatively tackle their own problems.
While antecedent research on social innovation has largely concentrated on success stories, few have stopped to consider the profound nature of this shift and the operational obstacles it may pose for small resource-constrained organisations.
This article seeks to contribute to current debates on social innovation by critically reviewing extant literature and proposing a model of ‘open’ social innovation.
Furthermore, it serves as a tool to stimulate further discussion around the ‘opening up’ of the social innovation process and raises some timely questions about the efficacy of localism policy measures.
Abstract
Social and community-based organisations are increasingly viewed as wellsprings of valuable social innovations.
Government policies, most notably David Cameron’s Big Society initiative, have entrenched the concept of localism across the UK, and the move towards smaller government has placed the onus on communities to creatively tackle their own problems.
While antecedent research on social innovation has largely concentrated on success stories, few have stopped to consider the profound nature of this shift and the operational obstacles it may pose for small resource-constrained organisations.
This article seeks to contribute to current debates on social innovation by critically reviewing extant literature and proposing a model of ‘open’ social innovation.
Furthermore, it serves as a tool to stimulate further discussion around the ‘opening up’ of the social innovation process and raises some timely questions about the efficacy of localism policy measures.
Friday, 23 November 2012
Incredible Edible – social and environmental entrepreneurship in the era of the “Big Society”
John Thompson (The Business School, University of Huddersfield, UK)
Social Enterprise Journal Volume 8 Issue 3 (2012)
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this case study is to allow the exploration of social entrepreneurship, environmental improvement and volunteering in the context of the UK’s declared Big Society. Recently, there has been increased interest in “environmental” as well as social entrepreneurship. Volunteering is also an area of growing concern in policy circles, particularly with the advent of the “Big Society”, the UK Government’s vision of citizen involvement.
Design/methodology/approach
The case was written with both secondary and primary data and with the co-operation of Incredible Edible. Primary data include street questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with relevant stakeholders.
Findings
Incredible Edible is an environmental initiative started in Todmorden, West Yorkshire. Basically community members – largely volunteers – have looked for opportunities where they could plant and grow fruits and vegetables that others could just help themselves to. Any spare land and space has been seen as suitable. From this the themes of local food growing and self sufficiency have taken over. Over a (short) period of years the initiative has grown and received considerable support from local stakeholders as well as extensive publicity. The initiative has attracted attention elsewhere and not just in the UK. But its real impact has been on the community and its sense of place.
Practical implications
The data have been used (so far) to write a case that traces the journey of the people behind the initiative, their motives and their impact. It explores a number of themes, namely:
The case demonstrates five important themes that could be seen as a litmus test for the effectiveness of projects and initiatives in the Big Society – namely the presence and commitment of a visionary who provides the purpose and direction, volunteers, velocity – and emergence, visibility, and value.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this case study is to allow the exploration of social entrepreneurship, environmental improvement and volunteering in the context of the UK’s declared Big Society. Recently, there has been increased interest in “environmental” as well as social entrepreneurship. Volunteering is also an area of growing concern in policy circles, particularly with the advent of the “Big Society”, the UK Government’s vision of citizen involvement.
Design/methodology/approach
The case was written with both secondary and primary data and with the co-operation of Incredible Edible. Primary data include street questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with relevant stakeholders.
Findings
Incredible Edible is an environmental initiative started in Todmorden, West Yorkshire. Basically community members – largely volunteers – have looked for opportunities where they could plant and grow fruits and vegetables that others could just help themselves to. Any spare land and space has been seen as suitable. From this the themes of local food growing and self sufficiency have taken over. Over a (short) period of years the initiative has grown and received considerable support from local stakeholders as well as extensive publicity. The initiative has attracted attention elsewhere and not just in the UK. But its real impact has been on the community and its sense of place.
Practical implications
The data have been used (so far) to write a case that traces the journey of the people behind the initiative, their motives and their impact. It explores a number of themes, namely:
- social entrepreneurship in action;
- improving the local environment aesthetically;
- the Big Society and volunteering;
- the local economic and social impacts – a new sense of place;
- improved diets and healthy eating – but also the impact on other local businesses which sell rival food products;
- how local successes can be replicated elsewhere; and
- the sustainability of initiatives such as this.
The case demonstrates five important themes that could be seen as a litmus test for the effectiveness of projects and initiatives in the Big Society – namely the presence and commitment of a visionary who provides the purpose and direction, volunteers, velocity – and emergence, visibility, and value.
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