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PurposeThe purpose of this article is to determine the future proportion and variants of usage of human intellect and artificial intelligence (AI) in entrepreneurship of industry 4.0 that fits social entrepreneurship the most. It could be convergence (simultaneous utilization during the same entrepreneurial processes with the emphasis on unique features by the terms of the competition) or divergence (usage during different business processes by the terms of labor division).Design/methodology/approachThe authors determine the influence of usage of human capital and AI on the efficiency of social entrepreneurship. The authors identify the perspective directions of usage of AI in social entrepreneurship and evaluate the readiness and interest in the implementation of these directions of concerned parties. The authors also model the optimal proportions and the variant of usage of human intellect and AI in social entrepreneurship in the conditions of Industry 4.0 in the future (until 2030).FindingsIt is found that social entrepreneurship will use the opportunities of Industry 4.0 for optimization of its activities until 2030, but will refuse from full automatization, using human intellect and AI at the same time.Originality/valueThe most perspective directions of application of AI at social companies are a collection of social goods and services, marketing studies and promotion of social goods and services. Neither convergence nor divergence of human and artificial intellectual capital does not fully conform to the interests of concerned parties. The most preferable (optimal) variant of usage of human intellect and AI in social entrepreneurship in the Industry 4.0 is human intelligent decision support.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the social entrepreneurship focussed organizations in the context of challenges faced and strategic actions adopted by them during the different stages of self-sustainable business model design and implementation. Design/methodology/approach – The empirical context involves the use of qualitative multi-case-based research methodology for data collection and analysis. The sampling involves undertaking the field study of social entrepreneurship oriented organizations, which have made the perceptible socio-economic difference in the lives of the rural and semi-urban population lying at the base of the pyramid (BoP) in India. Findings – The findings of this study are presented in two complementary stages. The first stage involves presenting the narrative incorporating the emergent themes and key characteristics of the social entrepreneurship focussed organizations based on the field-research based data collection and analysis. The second stage involves mapping the challenges with the strategic actions thereby formulating a challenge-action framework. Research limitations/implications – The paper strengthens the belief in social entrepreneurship as a viable alternative for creating a market-based ecosystem at the BoP. This paper highlights the conception of social entrepreneurship in terms of challenges and corresponding strategic actions. Practical implications – The derived challenge-action framework will enable the social entrepreneurs to learn, understand, design and implement a better informed and transparent market-based business models at the BoP resulting in reduced market risks and uncertainty. Social implications – The government needs to recognize the social entrepreneurs as partners having a separate legal entity as well as consider their inputs and on-field experiences while framing the policies in favor of the BoP. In addition, the government needs to facilitate the social entrepreneurs in leveraging the government network and institutions for reaching the BoP segment. Originality/value – This study is an original contribution to the field of social entrepreneurship in number of ways. The first contribution lies in reviewing the research literature from the definition perspective. The second contribution lies in reviewing the research literature to determine the key challenges faced by the social entrepreneurs at the BoP. The third contribution lies in identifying the propositions and conceptualizing the challenge-action framework depicting the challenges faced and strategic actions required by the social entrepreneurs for successful and sustainable social intervention at the BoP.

This study analyzes the relationship between information and communication technologies (ICTs) and labor productivity growth in sub-Saharan Africa over the period 1975-2010. The results show that fixed-line and mobile telecommunications have a positive and significant impact on growth after penetration rates reach a certain critical mass. The thresholds are identified using nonparametric methods. Penetrations rates of between 20% and 30% for telephones and 5% for internet usage trigger increasing returns. FDI and openness are found to improve productivity and to help ICTs boost growth. Financial development serves as a possible transmission channel for the growth-enhancing effects of ICTs. Comparative Economic Studies (2015) 57, 136-167.

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This article studies for-profit social enterprises, which bundle entrepreneurial attitude with the passion to design and implement inclusive business models targeting the basic needs at the Base-of-thePyramid (BoP). The research objective involves understanding the challenges and strategic choices required for inclusive business models at the BoP. A qualitative multi-case-based research methodology is used for data collection and analysis. The experience of four social enterprises studied helps to gauge the 'provisioning-for-all' discourse, and resolve the theoretical tension as to why 'self-sustaining' should mean 'profit driven', as self-sustaining can signify 'not-for-profit' as well. The BoP market challenges include market imperfections; ethical dilemmas; missed identity; scarce resources; identifying real needs; quantifying socioeconomic impact. The corresponding strategic choices are identified and mapped to the challenges, to enable social entrepreneurs to implement better informed decisions and social interventions at the BoP.Cet article s'intéresse aux entreprises sociales à but lucratif, qui combinent à la fois l'attitude entrepreneuriale et la passion de créer et de mettre en oeuvre des modèles d'entreprise inclusifs qui ciblent les besoins primaires, ceux à la base de la pyramide. L'objectif de l'étude est de comprendre les défis et les choix stratégiques nécessaires aux modèles d'entreprise inclusifs pour la base de la pyramide. Pour la collecte et l'analyse des données, nous utilisons une méthodologie de recherche qualitative, basée sur plusieurs études de cas. L'expérience de quatre entreprises sociales étudiées ici nous aide à juger de la façon dont les besoins de tous sont pris en compte, et à résoudre la tension théorique à propos de l'amalgame entre l'autosuffisance d'une entreprise et la recherche du profit, alors qu'une entreprise autosuffisante peut également avoir un but non lucratif. Les défis du marché à la base de la pyramide comprennent les imperfections du marché ; un dilemme éthique ; une identité manquée ; des ressources limitées ; l'identification du vrai besoin et la quantification de l'impact socio-économique. Les choix stratégiques sont identifiés et mis en relation avec les défis correspondants afin de permettre aux entrepreneurs sociaux d'appliquer de meilleures décisions et de mettre en oeuvre des interventions sociales à la base de la pyramide.

This paper compares today’s corporate management in developing markets (BRICS countries) vs. developed markets (the OECD countries). The influence of determining a new social corporate management season considering social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic on emerging markets' economic growth is ascertained and set apart from corporate management in developing markets. This paper helps clarifying and better understanding the role of corporate social responsibility in the conditions of an economic crisis against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic. This work provides scientific arguments that allow solving critical discussions regarding the advantages (growth of quality of life, an increase of business's competitiveness) and costs (limitation of economic growth, non-commercial use of profit, and increased price for goods and services) of domestic production and consumption. In the long-term, responsible financial practices return all investments and allow countries to better cope with a crisis. The research supplies a new view of corporate social responsibility as a measure of crisis management. It reflects its advantages at a time of social distancing in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The institutionalization of corporate social responsibility in emerging countries is not predetermined by internal factors (approach to doing business or organizational culture), if not by external factors (market status, state regulation, and consumer awareness). These circumstances prove the high complexity of strengthening corporate social responsibility in developing countries. In the conditions of social distancing – due to the COVID-19 pandemic – corporate social responsibility goes to a new level. In both developing and developed countries, one of the most widespread manifestations of corporate social responsibility is the entrepreneurship's transition to the remote form of activities. This envisages the provision of remote employment for workers and the online purchase of goods and services for consumers.