The Motivation of Social Entrepreneurs: The roles, agendas and relations of altruistic economic actors

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Social entrepreneurs present a contradiction if one accepts that economic motivation is premised on personal gain alone. The economic activity of social entrepreneurs is presumed altruistic, their actions intending to primarily benefit others. The theoretical and actual motivations, social networks and values of these actors are compared in this article. A series of semi-structured interviews of prominent social entrepreneurs in the west of England form the basis of analysis. Subjects were selected through a nomination-referral technique that allows targeting for interview those who are considered prominent in the sector within the chosen location. Two types of analysis are attempted: a narrative exploration of their motivations and a semantic networks analysis of their statements. There is evidence of a conceptual association between those actors’ success, entrepreneurship, motivation and social relations that indicate profitable avenues for future research. Some policy recommendations are offered in the conclusion. The multiple roles of social entrepreneurs and the multiple audiences they address indicate multidimensional agency. The development of the sector depends on comprehending conflict inherent in their multiple agendas.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-30
JournalJournal of Social Entrepreneurship
Volume6
Issue number1
Early online date1 Sept 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015

Keywords

  • social enterprise, social entrepreneurs, social networks, semantic network analysis, social enterprise policy, snowball nominations

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Motivation of Social Entrepreneurs: The roles, agendas and relations of altruistic economic actors'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this