What is it about?
Social entrepreneurs work to address social problems while using business strategies, but they often face ethical dilemmas that complicate their mission. This study explores the real-life experiences of social entrepreneurs in Portugal, highlighting challenges such as legal uncertainties, financial pressures, transparency concerns, and maintaining social impact. Through 20 in-depth interviews, this research uncovers the ethical tensions that shape their work and offers insights for policymakers and scholars to better support social entrepreneurship.
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Why is it important?
Social entrepreneurship is often seen as a powerful solution to pressing social issues, but behind the success stories lie complex ethical dilemmas. This study sheds light on these ethical tensions, providing valuable insights for policymakers, academics, and practitioners. By recognizing and addressing these challenges, we can build stronger support systems and foster more sustainable and ethically resilient social enterprises.
Perspectives
This research challenges the common perception that social enterprises are inherently ethical and problem free. It reveals that social entrepreneurs, much like those in the corporate and non-profit sectors, face difficult trade-offs in decision-making. The findings encourage a more nuanced discussion on how to support social enterprises without compromising their mission. Whether you're a policymaker, researcher, or entrepreneur, this study provides a fresh perspective on the ethical realities of driving social change.
Dr. Raju R. K. Paswan
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Navigating ethical complexities in social entrepreneurship: insights from Portuguese social entrepreneurs, International Journal of Ethics and Systems, February 2025, Emerald,
DOI: 10.1108/ijoes-06-2024-0180.
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