Social enterprises operating in the South Wales valleys: a Delphi study of persistent tensions

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to examine the factors that influence and collectively conspire to inhibit social enterprises’ abilities to flourish in geographies of economic and social deprivation. Drawing upon the extant literature, it deploys a Delphi study to rank the relative importance of these factors. Design/methodology/approach A two-round Delphi study has been used to assess the relative importance of the issues that beset social enterprises. The research panel consisted of owner-managers of nine social enterprises from South Wales (UK). Findings The findings indicate that the prime challenge faced by social enterprise owner-managers is balancing their dual mission. The difficulties faced in delivering social value while remaining financially viable is one that appears to impinge upon the other strategic and operational challenges they face. Research limitations/implications The generalizability of this study that utilizes expert insight is dependent upon the nature of the panel. In this instance, social enterprise owner-managers studied operated within a socially deprived region of the UK. The relative influence of the tensions that affect social enterprises in less impoverished areas of the UK or other geographies may well differ. Originality/value Drawing upon the extant literature that examines the tensions that surround social enterprises, the prevailing factors are considered and ranked of significance. The resulting ranking provides a crystallised vantage point for policy and support. This could be used to better inform the allocation of resources to facilitate a favourable eco system capable of supporting social enterprises who operate in areas troubled by economic and social deprivation.

Antecedents of Cybersecurity Implementation: A Study of the Cyber-Preparedness of U.K. Social Enterprises

“…While many of the owner-managers recognised the sensitive nature of the data that they held (illustrated by the statements of P5, P14 and P19 in RQ1) in accord with the literature (Doherty, Haugh and Lyon, 2014;Samuel, White, Jones and Fisher, 2018) 'colourful pasts', or about government agencies to which they may provide vicarious access (Dasgupta, Roy and Ghosh, 2018). It was expected that the SE owner-managers would be aware of the potentially sensitive data that their organizations possess (Doherty, Haugh and Lyon, 2014;Samuel, White, Jones and Fisher, 2018).…”

“…Third, SEs are likely to be in possession of the details of the organisations and vulnerable individuals that they serve or employ (Doherty, Haugh and Lyon, 2014;Samuel, White, Jones and Fisher, 2018). This information may be highly detailed and contain sensitive data such as personal histories, criminal records or medical conditions.…”

Sources of expertise in social enterprises

“…The personal details of participants have not been included in this study to maintain anonymity (Samuel et al, 2018) and to encourage a candid exchange of views (Stewart, Gill, Chadwick, & Treasure, 2008).…”

“…Successful social enterprises, led by socially aware problem solvers, are assumed to be heroic, innovative risk-takers (Seanor & Meaton, 2007) that work differently from those in the third sector (Bornstein, 2004;Dees, Emerson, & Economy, 2001;Leadbeater, 1997). The social entrepreneur must stand astride the social and the enterprise elements of their organization, aware, alert, and striving to balance tensions (Battilana & Dorado, 2010;Samuel, White, Jones, & Fisher, 2018;Smith, Besharov, Wessels, & Chertok, 2012;Tracey & Phillips, 2007;Zahra, Gedajlovic, Newbaum, & Shulman, 2009). In an examination of failure in social enterprises, Seanor and Meaton (2008) note that concentrating on the social goal can risk the commercial factors, and that support agencies (who are sometimes clients) are increasingly demanding that social entrepreneurs aspire to greater efficiency in business improvement and administration.…”

O Valor Social Gerado Por Empresas Sociais: Reflexões a Partir De Uma Meta-Síntese

“…Além das contribuições e limitações, a meta-síntese permitiu vislumbrar possibilidades de pesquisas futuras dentro desse campo de análise, tendo em vista o interesse por parte dos pesquisadores. Assim, incialmente, podem ser investigados os fluxos de investimento em empresas sociais, pesquisas sobre a compreensão da lei do valor social (Samuel, White & Jones, 2018), bem como estudar estratégias voltadas para empresa social e engajamento dos stakeholders (Ramus & Vaccaro, 2017), analisar a influência do marketing social no desenvolvimento do valor social (Srivetbodee et al, 2017), investigar o papel das diversas capacidades de marketing das empresas sociais (Sengupta & Sahay, 2017), e, por fim, analisar como as instituições influenciam a adoção de recursos em diferentes contextos, pesquisar a compreensão de como as empresas sociais geram valor social em contexto de países emergentes.…”