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Transforming Good Intentions into Social Impact: A Case on the Creation and Evolution of a Social Enterprise

Author

Listed:
  • Elizabeth A. R. Fowler

    (Appalachian State University)

  • Betty S. Coffey

    (Appalachian State University)

  • Heather R. Dixon-Fowler

    (Appalachian State University)

Abstract

Process models are valuable conceptual tools to help in understanding the approaches to value creation in social enterprises. This teaching case illustrates the application of a process model about creating, building, and sustaining a social enterprise with a mission to provide clean water to communities in need. The social enterprise generates revenue in support of community water projects and works with community stakeholders in different locations throughout the world to provide sustainable clean water solutions. The case study uses primary data from semi-structured interviews, direct observations of a community project, and archival sources to demonstrate application of the process model. The study shows how the social enterprise developed as a promising idea; was implemented through an operating model with resources to support social impact; and continues to build and evolve while guided by the social mission. The paper concludes with a discussion and teaching note on ways to use the case for educational purposes to enhance learning about the social value creation process.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth A. R. Fowler & Betty S. Coffey & Heather R. Dixon-Fowler, 2019. "Transforming Good Intentions into Social Impact: A Case on the Creation and Evolution of a Social Enterprise," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 159(3), pages 665-678, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:159:y:2019:i:3:d:10.1007_s10551-017-3754-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-017-3754-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Simona Fiandrino & Francesco Scarpa & Riccardo Torelli, 2022. "Fostering Social Impact Through Corporate Implementation of the SDGs: Transformative Mechanisms Towards Interconnectedness and Inclusiveness," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 180(4), pages 959-973, November.
    2. Purevdulam Altantsetseg & Alaleh Dadvari & Tsevegjav Munkhdelger & Gerelt-Od Lkhagvasuren & Massoud Moslehpour, 2020. "Sustainable Development of Entrepreneurial Orientation through Social Drivers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-19, October.
    3. Ching Yin Ip & Chaoyun Liang, 2023. "Would customers of social enterprises become social entrepreneurs?," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 44(3), pages 1454-1464, April.
    4. Mario Vázquez-Maguirre, 2020. "Building Sustainable Rural Communities through Indigenous Social Enterprises: A Humanistic Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-21, November.
    5. Henry Oswald Esau & Robertson K. Tengeh, 2022. "Key success factors for scaling social enterprises in South Africa," Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 9(4), pages 396-415, June.
    6. 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.
    7. Siemieniako, Dariusz & Kubacki, Krzysztof & Mitręga, Maciej, 2021. "Inter-organisational relationships for social impact: A systematic literature review," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 453-469.
    8. M. Tina Dacin & Jeffrey S. Harrison & David Hess & Sheila Killian & Julia Roloff, 2022. "Business Versus Ethics? Thoughts on the Future of Business Ethics," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 180(3), pages 863-877, October.
    9. Marian Oliński & Jarosław Mioduszewski, 2022. "Determinants of Development of Social Enterprises according to the Theory of Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-21, November.

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