The International Growth of a Social Business: A Case Study

Abstract

In developing countries, initiatives have often been undertaken in order to fight social and environmental problems. Since the 1990s, an increase can be seen in corporate social responsibility actions, as well as increasingly strong activities by civil society organizations. Tweenty years ago, companies and civil society organizations stood wide apart from each other, with often conflicting agendas and resistance to mutual collaboration. This reality has changed significantly. Besides the phenomenon of cross-sector partnerships, we can also observe the expansion of a particular organization type, i.e., the social business, which combines two objectives that were previously seen as incompatible: financial sustainability and the generation of social value. This article aims to discuss the factors that influence the results of a social business operating in three countries: Botswana, Brazil and Jordan. The results allow understanding the challenges involved in constructing social businesses in developing countries as well as a better understanding of the very nature of those businesses, considering the social realities where they operate.

Valorização do tema “Responsabilidade Social” em Instituições de Ensino Superior? Análise de cursos de Administração no estado do Rio de Janeiro

“…Kanie, Haas, Andresen et al (2013) point out that development in an unsustainable way has created a very serious situation, and problems have already reached or are reaching a point of irreversible change, with negative consequences for a healthy planet. However, with greater social commitment on the part of organizations and society, it would be possible to have a positive impact on both social and environmental awareness (KONDO, 2009;MOURA, COMINI and TEODÓSIO, 2015).…”

“…Among these emerging economies, it is observed that Brazil has sought to promote greater awareness among the population in general (MOURA, COMINI and TEODÓSIO, 2015).…”

“…Considering this scenario, there is a growing demand for company managers to be able to promote solutions that maximize both financial and social aspects (MOURA, COMINI and TEODÓSIO, 2015). Of course, corporate social responsibility, which is one of the common ways of working on social issues in the context of Business Administration, will increasingly permeate the managerial environment.…”

“…Governments, companies and society as whole have realized the need to decisively contribute to minimizing social and environmental problems and seek social equality (MOURA, COMINI and TEODÓSIO, 2015).…”

Career anchors and values from different career management perspectives

“…From the 1990s, a growth in corporate social responsibility actions was observed, as well as the intensification of performance in civil society organizations (Moura, Comini & Teodósio, 2015). With this trend, the desire for a career in social businesses has grown among many Generation Y young administrators (Rosolen, 2014).…”