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Social Entrepreneurship: Dissection of a Phenomenon through a German Lens

Author

Listed:
  • Karina Cagarman

    (Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany)

  • Jan Kratzer

    (Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany)

  • Katharina Osbelt

    (Social Entrepreneurship Netzwerk Deutschland e. V. c/o Bundesverband Deutsche Startups e. V. im Haus der Bundespressekonferenz, 10117 Berlin, Germany)

Abstract

The occurrence and scientific investigation of the phenomenon of social entrepreneurship are rather new. The term is very popular among politicians and is reflected in a lot of the political demands and willingness that they express. However, a review of the literature about it shows that there is no common ground or frame, and the historical developments are different in different countries and economies. Based on a study of the literature, a two-phase survey following the ‘Policy Delphi’ approach was conducted in Germany in order to enlighten this frameless picture of social entrepreneurship. Our results indicate five dimensions that extend the core term: ‘social’, namely ‘Societal–Visionary’, ‘Ecological’, ‘Societal–Entrepreneurial’, ‘Economic’, and ‘Innovative–Entrepreneurial’. The degree of intercorrelation among the five dimensions shows that four factors, namely ‘Societal–Visionary’, ‘Societal–Entrepreneurial’, ‘Economic’, and ‘Innovative–Entrepreneurial’, have low to medium-high correlations. The fifth factor, ‘Ecological’, has the weakest correlation with all other factors.

Suggested Citation

  • Karina Cagarman & Jan Kratzer & Katharina Osbelt, 2020. "Social Entrepreneurship: Dissection of a Phenomenon through a German Lens," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-18, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:18:p:7764-:d:416297
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Korapin Jirapong & Karina Cagarman & Laura von Arnim, 2021. "Road to Sustainability: University–Start-Up Collaboration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-19, May.
    2. Jan Kratzer & Dodo zu Knyphausen-Aufseß & Gunter Festel, 2021. "Glancing through Two Decades of Research on the Human Side of Sustainable Innovation : The Past, the Present, and Directions for Future Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-11, June.
    3. Karina Cagarman & Jan Kratzer & Laura Helen von Arnim & Kristina Fajga & Michaela Jacqueline Gieseke, 2020. "Social Entrepreneurship on Its Way to Significance: The Case of Germany," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-13, October.
    4. Anamaria Bucaciuc & Gabriela Prelipcean, 2022. "ESF Funding for the Development of Romanian Social Enterprises – Regional Distribution," Ovidius University Annals, Economic Sciences Series, Ovidius University of Constantza, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 0(1), pages 32-37, September.
    5. Liliya Nedkova Nedevа, 2021. "Social Capital Management In Municipality Enterprises," Economy & Business Journal, International Scientific Publications, Bulgaria, vol. 15(1), pages 364-373.

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