Purpose -This paper draws upon prior research that built a theoretical framework for the emergence of social enterprise ecosystems based upon biological evolutionary theory. This paper seeks to extend this previous research by practically applying the theory to the development of stakeholder and institutional networks across Europe.Design/methodology/approach -Data from in-depth semi-structured interviews and focus groups were analysed using Constant Comparison Method. Data were generated from discussions with 258 key stakeholders in 10 countries across Europe, exploring the historical, political, social, legal and economic factors that influence the patterns of social enterprise seen in each country.Findings -The results identify the emergence of four social enterprise ecosystem types (Statist-macro; Statist-micro; Private-macro; Private-micro). These are used to explain the differences found in each of the 10 country's social enterprise ecosystems. The results are discussed in relation to evolutionary theory in social entrepreneurship and how 'genetic' and 'epigenetic' factors lead to the divergence of social enterprise ecosystems, and the impact that this has on the stakeholders and institutions that are present within them.Originality/value -A typology of ecosystems is presented, which can be used by policymakers across Europe to understand how best to support their local social economies.

Social enterprise has been identified as a culturally and socially constructed phenomenon that varies in its meaning both internationally and within geographic regions. Over recent years there has been increasing academic focus on how social enterprise ecosystems differ across different countries. This focus has been both global (examinations of differences between North American, Asian and European social enterprise) and regional (exploring differences between countries within Europe). There has however, been less focus on the differences in social enterprise ecosystems within countries, where subtle regional differences in the cultural, political and social environment can potentially lead to significant variations in the environment for support. The recent history of the United Kingdom, with devolution for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, has led to all four countries (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England) developing fairly diverse political and policy environments despite sharing relatively similar social and cultural backgrounds. This paper seeks to explore this through the lens of evolutionary theory. Evolutionary theory posits that within an ecosystem all organisms are a product of the evolution of that ecosystem, and that this evolution is based upon genetics, epigenetics and phenotypes. The research reported in this paper draws upon qualitative data gathered as part of a European Commission FP7 project. Semistructured interviews explored the perceptions of a variety of key stakeholders in regards to the historical, socio-political, cultural and regulatory environments, at both local authority/city (either not both) and national levels, in Scotland and England. The results are discussed in relation to evolutionary theory and how socio-political and regulatory differences can lead to the rapid divergence of social enterprise ecosystems.

Example citation: BajwaPatel, M. and Devecchi, C. (2014) 'Nowhere that fits' -the dilemmas of school choice for parents of children with statements of special educational needs (SEN) in England. Support for Learning. 29(2), pp. 117135. 14679604.It is advisable to refer to the publisher's version if you intend to cite from this work. AbstractGiving parents a choice with regard to their children's education has been central to the political discourse of school reform at least since the 1988 Education Reform Act (ERA) (DfE, 1988). With regard to children with a statement of special educational needs (SSEN), a plethora of policies and laws (e.g. ERA, 1988; Education Act, 1996, SENDA, 2001)have given parents not only the right to choose a school, but also to appeal to decisions in the best interest of their children. Yet, despite the discourse the implementation and practice of such reforms are neither assured nor simple. Participants in the study indicated that they have little choice of suitable provision and are having to compromise either the academic or the social aspects of their child's schooling. 2This paper argues that for many parents whose children have a statement of SEN the choice of a school is often a dilemma as nowhere seems to fit.

This chapter will explore the role of stakeholder and institutional networks in shaping the development of social enterprise ecosystems across Europe. A Weberian view of power is adopted in order to show that dominant stakeholders can distort reality, obscure truth, and create paradigmatic narratives while pursuing their own interests. This chapter will also draw upon biological evolutionary theory, social network theory, and network pluralism to identify a typology of social enterprise ecosystems. This typology was developed based upon qualitative data (semi-structured interviews and focus groups) collected across 11 European countries from 258 key stakeholders, while also exploring the historical, political, social, legal, and economic conditions in each country. The data was used to create stakeholder network maps for each country, which were then analyzed to identify trends and linkages. The results identify the emergence of four social enterprise ecosystem types (Statist-macro, Statist-micro, Private-macro, and Private-micro) that help explain the differences found in the social enterprise ecosystems of all eleven countries. The emergence of an "ideal-type" ecosystem is posited in relation to these four types, which can be used by stakeholders across Europe to understand how best to support their local social economies.

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