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Social enterprise as catalyst of transformation in the micro-mobility sector

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  • Sunio, Varsolo
  • Laperal, Miguel
  • Mateo-Babiano, Iderlina

Abstract

The need to transition towards more sustainable futures is evident. This paper explores the role of social enterprise in urban sustainability transitions. Using the UP Bike Share (UPBS), a university-based bicycle-sharing social enterprise (in Metro Manila, Philippines) as a case study, this paper aims to bring a more explicit social entrepreneurship perspective towards sustainability transitions research as well as draw insights from social enterprise as a social innovation to challenge existing sociotechnical regimes. Existing operator models of bike-sharing systems in other countries are predominantly for-profit vendors, publicly-owned entities and non-profit organizations. Emerging from civil society, UP Bike Share, on the other hand, is a social enterprise that grew into a social movement with a well-defined advocacy, and became part of a bigger social movement of sustainability advocates. Where previous attempts to establish a bike-sharing program by the local government, international development institution and public transport agency in Metro Manila failed, the UP Bike Share represents the first bike-sharing system in the Philippines that was successfully piloted, implemented and sustained. We then expound on three mechanisms by which UP Bike Share can achieve such transformation, namely: market formation, insertion into the broader social movement, and replication of innovation in other localities, supporting wider sustainability goals. We end with agenda for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Sunio, Varsolo & Laperal, Miguel & Mateo-Babiano, Iderlina, 2020. "Social enterprise as catalyst of transformation in the micro-mobility sector," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 145-157.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:138:y:2020:i:c:p:145-157
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2020.05.027
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    1. Sharmeen, Fariya & Ghosh, Bipashyee & Mateo-Babiano, Iderlina, 2021. "Policy, users and discourses: Examples from bikeshare programs in (Kolkata) India and (Manila) Philippines," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    2. Lin, Yi-Hsin & Lin, Feng-Jyh & Wang, Kuo-Hsiung, 2021. "The effect of social mission on service quality and brand image," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 744-752.
    3. Kumudu Jayawardhana & Imali Fernando & Janaka Siyambalapitiya, 2022. "Sustainability in Social Enterprise Research: A Systematic Literature Review," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(3), pages 21582440221, September.
    4. Yvonne Hail & Ronald McQuaid, 2021. "The Concept of Fairness in Relation to Women Transport Users," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-15, March.

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