| Summary: | Social entrepreneurship is a fairly new subject to most academics. Extensive
research and analysis is currently underway to understand this subject better.
By definition, it still lends itself to the general known description of commercial
entrepreneurship. What makes it distinctive is its virtuousness of the mission
to create better social value than commercial profit. For social entrepreneurs,
the social mission is explicit and central. This obviously affects how social
entrepreneurs perceive and assess opportunities. Mission-related impact
becomes the central criterion, not wealth creation. Wealth is just a means to
an end for social entrepreneurs. This study investigates the overall view of
social entrepreneurship and puts together a working definition of social
entrepreneurship in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality.
This study's primary objective focuses on determining the sustainability of
social entrepreneurship and its potential to contribute meaningfully to the
overall economy. The secondary objective of the study is to find a working
definition of social entrepreneurship as proposed by other researchers
throughout the world and assess some of the work done around the subject.
The research methodology consists of literature study and empirical research
that in turn encompass administering a survey questionnaire to various social
entrepreneurs in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. The literature study
focuses on worldwide definitions, approaches, activities, funding mechanisms,
skill requirements and challenges around the subject of social
entrepreneurship. The literature study also finds a detailed study of Ashoka,
one of the most successful social entrepreneurship initiatives from the United
Kingdom, which is perceived as one of the most successful projects on this
subject.
The empirical research cover the construction of a survey questionnaire
aimed at understanding five key areas around social entrepreneurship in
Tshwane. These areas covers sets of questions to gather a better
understanding of the demographic profile of a social entrepreneur, the
demographic profile of their organisations (specifically non-profit
organisations), how they generate their income, raise funds and the source of
this funding, challenges they face in the city and last but not least, gather the
thoughts of these entrepreneurs in terms of what can be done to make it
successful. The questionnaire comprises of both open-closed ended
questions.
The results of the findings, which include an overall demographic profile of the
social entrepreneur, showed a significant potential for social entrepreneurship
to prosper in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality and the need for further
research and investigation on this subject. The results also show the need for
higher level of skills and qualifications for social entrepreneurs to grow beyond
the initial incubation stage in their organisations. Other findings from the
results include relevance of location for social entrepreneurship to prosper.
The finding also revealed the need for increased access to funding and better
policy framework to help entrepreneurs to operate harmoniously. Crime and
inadequate regulatory framework poses some of the biggest threats to social
entrepreneurship.
A number of practical recommendations have been listed in the study for
authorities to consider, in an attempt to make this subject a meaningful
solution to solve some of the socio-economic problems in Tshwane
Metropolitan Municipality.
It is the author's belief that the objectives of the study have been met, despite
the bias of the geographic location and possibly a smaller sample size than
expected nevertheless provide a sound base for continuity on the subject. === Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.
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