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The nascent ecology of social enterprise

Author

Listed:
  • Helen Haugh

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Paul Robson

    (Royal Holloway University of London)

  • John Hagedoorn

    (Royal Holloway University of London)

  • Kate Sugar

    (University of Bath)

Abstract

Employing population ecology theory, we examine social enterprise population emergence in the UK after 2005 when a new organizational form for social enterprise was established. Our density dependence analysis of nearly seven thousand community interest companies finds that survival is positively influenced by age and population densities of both other social enterprises and commercial organizations. Two specific patterns in population emergence are identified: social enterprise survival is more likely influenced by industry than age, a finding that we label the liability of specificity, and their survival benefits from the population density of commercial organizations but not non-profit organizations, a finding that we label the hybrid-commercial benefit. Our research identifies the liability of specificity as a new concept in population ecology theory and the hybrid-commercial benefit as a contextual influence on social enterprise survival.

Suggested Citation

  • Helen Haugh & Paul Robson & John Hagedoorn & Kate Sugar, 2022. "The nascent ecology of social enterprise," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 58(3), pages 1223-1242, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:58:y:2022:i:3:d:10.1007_s11187-020-00442-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-020-00442-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. John Hagedoorn & Helen Haugh & Paul Robson & Kate Sugar, 2023. "Social innovation, goal orientation, and openness: insights from social enterprise hybrids," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 60(1), pages 173-198, January.
    2. Singaram, Raja & Radu-Lefebvre, Miruna & Gartner, William B., 2023. "Gordian knot uncut: Understanding the problem of founder exit in social ventures," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 19(C).
    3. 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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