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A Pilot Profile of the Social Entrepreneur in the Constantly Changing Romanian Economy

Author

Listed:
  • Gabriela Tigu

    (The Bucharest University of Economic Studies)

  • Maria-Cristina Iorgulescu

    (The Bucharest University of Economic Studies)

  • Anamaria Sidonia Ravar

    (The Bucharest University of Economic Studies)

  • Ramona Lile

    (Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad)

Abstract

Social economy and social entrepreneurship are concepts subject of much debate in the academic environment, as their importance is growing in the present times, when the public sector and business environment alike have demonstrated their incapacity to solve specific social problems, such as conserving local traditions and biodiversity or insertion into the labour market of people from vulnerable groups. This article focuses on social entrepreneurs, by aiming to identify their main motivations in the founding and development of a social enterprise, as well as the main challenges faced in their social entrepreneurial activity in a constantly changing business environment. The paper presents a qualitative research conducted on Romanian social entrepreneurs. The results, interpreted through content analysis, indicate that social entrepreneurs, unlike business entrepreneurs, are not profit-driven, but mission driven, their main objective being to make a difference in the society and have a positive impact in the local communities. Furthermore, the research revealed specific challenges faced by Romanian social entrepreneurs, as well as specific differences between social and business entrepreneurs, who aim strictly achieving economic performance. Considering the limitations and future research directions, the implications of the findings are discussed, the paper outlining a profile of the social entrepreneur that can be useful to the public sector for the development of policies aimed at enhancing this type of entrepreneurship, in a constantly changing social environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabriela Tigu & Maria-Cristina Iorgulescu & Anamaria Sidonia Ravar & Ramona Lile, 2015. "A Pilot Profile of the Social Entrepreneur in the Constantly Changing Romanian Economy," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 17(38), pages 1-25, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:aes:amfeco:v:38:y:2015:i:17:p:25
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Catalina Mitra Crisan & Dan-Cristian Dabija & Vasile Dinu, 2015. "Social Entrepreneurship in Romania: Significance and Models," Montenegrin Journal of Economics, Economic Laboratory for Transition Research (ELIT), vol. 11(2), pages 65-77.
    2. Calin S. Vac & Avram Fitiu, 2017. "Building Sustainable Development through Technology Transfer in a Romanian University," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-22, November.
    3. Argatu Ruxandra, 2018. "The role of Romanian social enterprises in the alleviation of poverty and social exclusion," Management & Marketing, Sciendo, vol. 13(4), pages 1257-1275, December.
    4. Pompiliu-Nicolae Constantin & Rares Stanescu & Monica Stanescu, 2020. "Social Entrepreneurship and Sport in Romania: How Can Former Athletes Contribute to Sustainable Social Change?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-15, June.
    5. Rüdiger Hein, 2022. "Beyond a Balanced View of Social Entrepreneurship within a Social–Commercial Dichotomy: Towards a Four-Dimensional Typology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-17, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    social economy; dynamic business environment; changing social environment; social entrepreneur; business entrepreneur; motivation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • L31 - Industrial Organization - - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise - - - Nonprofit Institutions; NGOs; Social Entrepreneurship
    • D71 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Social Choice; Clubs; Committees; Associations
    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption

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