Advancing a contextualized, community-centric understanding of social entrepreneurial ecosystems

Citation

de Bruin A, Roy MJ, Grant S & Lewis KV (2023) Advancing a contextualized, community-centric understanding of social entrepreneurial ecosystems. Business & Society, 62 (5), pp. 1069-1102. https://doi.org/10.1177/00076503221121820

Abstract
We investigate what distinguishes social entrepreneurial ecosystems (SEEs) from entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) through appreciation of the importance of context—the multiplex of intertwined social, spatial, temporal, historical, cultural, and political influences. Community is incorporated as a key variable and hitherto overlooked dimension of the structure and influence of SEEs. We draw on extant literature and examples of a variety of SEEs to support our propositions and demonstrate why considerations of both context and community are critical to advance understanding of SEEs. We contribute to the study of SEEs by presenting a new conceptual framework and theorizing SEE as an evolving composite of interdependent actors who interact and collaborate across multiple levels to collectively generate positive externalities and drive sustainable solutions to social problems.

Keywords
community; context; ecosystems; social entrepreneurship; value creation

Journal
Business & Society: Volume 62, Issue 5

People

Professor Michael Roy

Professor Sustainable/GB Strategy & OB, Management, Work and Organisation