Rise Up: Understanding Youth Social Entrepreneurs and Their Ecosystems

Abstract

This research focuses on youth social entrepreneurs who are leading ventures that address pressing societal problems including climate change, gun reform, and social justice. It answers Journal of Public Policy & Marketing’s call for more research in marketing on social entrepreneurship. Consistent with the mission of Transformative Consumer Research to enhance individual and societal well-being, this research explores how the dynamic ecosystem of youth social entrepreneurs empowers them to rise up to transform people, communities, and the future for the better. The authors partnered with 20 established youth social entrepreneurs who have founded social impact initiatives as well as two organizations that support youth social entrepreneurs, Ashoka and Future Coalition, to develop a framework for understanding the ecosystem that encourages youth social entrepreneurs to enhance people’s well-being and make the world a better place. This framework integrates the experiences of these youth social entrepreneur partners and extant literature in marketing and related disciplines to provide guidance that can help researchers, policy makers, educators, and parents design an environment to support the success of youth social entrepreneurs.

Together We Rise: How Social Movements Succeed

“…As Satell (2016) noted, “It is when small groups connect—which has become exponentially easier in the digital age—that [movements] gain their power.” These connections may take place in shared, physical spaces where like‐minded movement members meet in person to exchange ideas (Bublitz et al, 2019; Nardini et al, 2020) but they may also occur on online platforms (Bublitz et al, 2020). Regardless of the form they take, shared spaces provide critical support, giving grassroots movement members a positive and consistent setting in which to connect (Rosenbaum, Ward, Walker, & Ostrom, 2007).…”

“…Regardless of the form they take, shared spaces provide critical support, giving grassroots movement members a positive and consistent setting in which to connect (Rosenbaum, Ward, Walker, & Ostrom, 2007). By establishing common ground and sharing space, movement members reduce barriers to connection, empower each other, and begin to see themselves as a collective “we” rather than an individual “me” (Bublitz et al, 2020). This becomes the basis for building a networked movement, the practice that we explore next.…”

“…Social movements operate in a competitive funding environment and often face a dearth of resources, whether it be money, time, knowledge, or all of the above (Bublitz et al, 2020; Smith, Cronley, & Barr, 2012). Without funding and technical assistance, movements cannot develop a coordinated strategy for collective action and build a networked movement (Crutchfield, 2018; Popovic, 2015; Satell, 2019).…”

Introduction to the Commentary Series: Inequalities and Divides as We Continue to Grapple with a Global Pandemic

“…All people do not enjoy access to the same resources, abilities, connections, privileges, and opportunities to effectively battle the disease—even if they never become physiologically infected. With this powerful evidence in hand, we as a society are more empowered to create change (Bublitz et al 2020). Governments will need to consider these disparities as they plan for the prioritization and distribution of vaccinations.…”

“…Consumers’ shopping-related expectations and behaviors have shifted with the move to shop online, and they face privacy issues that accompany such decisions (Brough and Martin 2020). Consumers may also experience restricted choice and access to healthy food due to job loss and childcare challenges (Bublitz et al 2020; Hamilton 2021), with potential long-term effects for their individual and collective well-being.…”