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Diversity and the Influence of Social Enterprises in South Korea

Author

Listed:
  • Jongmin Jeon

    (Seoul Business School, aSSIST University, Seoul 03767, Republic of Korea)

  • Jinhee Choi

    (Seoul Business School, aSSIST University, Seoul 03767, Republic of Korea)

  • Ivan Ureta Vaquero

    (Senior Lecturer and Head of Executive Education, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, 6928 Manno, Switzerland)

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the growth of social enterprises, their operational diversity and impact, and their characteristics from the stakeholders’ perspective focusing on the diversity and influence of social enterprises in the Republic of Korea. Based on data from periodical reports, newspaper articles, and the existing academic literature, this study provides insights into the diversity and influence of social enterprises in Korea. This study suggests that the growth of Korean social enterprises is rooted in extensive government support, including financial subsidies, tax benefits, and technological innovation incentives. We found that the landscape includes officially recognized social enterprises and other entities that, while not formally certified, fulfill similar roles by embodying social values within diverse institutional frameworks. These enterprises have diversified to engage various social issues, from job creation for marginalized groups to environmental sustainability and community development. Effective stakeholder engagement fostered diversity and inclusiveness within these organizations. A limitation of this study is the use of secondary sources. Future research should use more diverse data collection methods and examine a broader range of social enterprises, including non-certified ones. This study contributes to the discourse on social enterprise by highlighting the trajectory of social enterprise development, the critical role of government support, and the importance of stakeholder engagement to promote diversity. It also provides insights into the diversity and role of social enterprises in Korea and their potential to address socio-economic issues.

Suggested Citation

  • Jongmin Jeon & Jinhee Choi & Ivan Ureta Vaquero, 2024. "Diversity and the Influence of Social Enterprises in South Korea," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jadmsc:v:14:y:2024:i:12:p:329-:d:1537051
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Casper Hendrik Claassen & Eric Bidet & Junki Kim, 2023. "South Korean social enterprises and their networks: On their organizational linkages at the interstice between the third, public, and corporate sectors," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 94(2), pages 365-397, June.
    2. repec:hal:journl:hal-04287908 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Jacques Defourny & Marthe Nyssens, 2010. "Conceptions of Social Enterprise and Social Entrepreneurship in Europe and the United States: Convergences and Divergences," Journal of Social Entrepreneurship, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 1(1), pages 32-53, March.
    4. Poledrini Simone & Tortia Ermanno C., 2020. "Social Enterprises: Evolution of the Organizational Model and Application to the Italian Case," Entrepreneurship Research Journal, De Gruyter, vol. 10(4), pages 1-26, October.
    5. Doh, Soogwan & Kim, Byungkyu, 2014. "Government support for SME innovations in the regional industries: The case of government financial support program in South Korea," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(9), pages 1557-1569.
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