Social enterprises2012

Social enterprises have been a growing phenomenon around the world in the past decade. The authors of this volume argue that they represent a unique type of organization. By combining social goals with a business orientation, both critical for their mission and survival, they represent a breed of organization with two kinds of logic that in the past were not perceived as belonging under the same organizational roof. The business logic, with its focus on competition and private ownership, did not seem a fitting context in which to deal with social issues or problems. These are traditionally dealt with by a service logic that emphasizes a charitable, empathetic orientation. Putting these two orientations together calls for creative organizational solutions, especially if these organizations...