Entrepreneurial orientation in firms with a social mission - a mixed-methods approach

• Main Authors: Pasi Syrjä, Kaisu Puumalainen, Helena Sjögrén, Juha Soininen, Susanne Durst
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2019-01-01
• Series: Cogent Business & Management
• Subjects: entrepreneurial orientation; social entrepreneurship; mixed-methods approach; social innovation; social enterprise; persistence
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2019.1602016
• ISSN: 2331-1975

This study explores entrepreneurial orientation (EO) in Finnish social enterprises in a social context using a mixed-methods approach. As a result, we propose that the generic dimensions of EO apply in a social context with minor refinements but suggest an additional dimension of persistence. The social enterprises take substantial financial risks although carefully avoid anything that may jeopardise the firms’ social impact. They exhibit highly innovative behaviour when developing new ways to serve the social purpose as well as when finding new ways to generate income. Furthermore, these enterprises exhibit remarkable persistence in adhering to a course of action despite their experienced difficulties.