Social Entrepreneurship and Social Transformation: An Exploratory Study

26 Pages Posted: 22 Nov 2002

See all articles by Sarah H. Alvord

Sarah H. Alvord

Harvard Graduate School of Education

L. David Brown

Harvard University - John F. Kennedy School of Government - Hauser Center

Christine W. Letts

Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS)

Date Written: November 2002

Abstract

This study provides a comparative analysis of seven cases of social entrepreneurship that have been widely recognized as successful. The paper suggests factors associated with successful social entrepreneurship, particularly with social entrepreneurship that leads to significant changes in the social, political and economic contexts for poor and marginalized groups. It generates hypotheses about core innovations, leadership, organization, and scaling up in successful social entrepreneurship. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications for the practice of social entrepreneurship, for further research, and for the continued development of support technologies and institutions that will encourage future social entrepreneurship.

Keywords: Social Entreprenuership, Leadership, Innovations

Suggested Citation

Alvord, Sarah H. and Brown, L. David and Letts, Christine W., Social Entrepreneurship and Social Transformation: An Exploratory Study (November 2002). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=354082 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.354082

Sarah H. Alvord (Contact Author)

Harvard Graduate School of Education ( email )

13 Appian Way
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States
617-495-7576 (Phone)

L. David Brown

Harvard University - John F. Kennedy School of Government - Hauser Center ( email )

79 JFK Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States
617-496-2381 (Phone)
617-495-0996 (Fax)

Christine W. Letts

Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) ( email )

79 John F. Kennedy Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States
617-495-1451 (Phone)
617-495-0996 (Fax)

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