European Business Schools Librarian's Group

IESE Research Papers,
IESE Business School

No D/610: Social entrepreneurial business models: An exploratory study

Johanna Mair () and Oliver Schoen
Additional contact information
Johanna Mair: IESE Business School, Postal: Research Division, Av Pearson 21, 08034 Barcelona, SPAIN
Oliver Schoen: IESE Business School, Postal: Research Division, Av Pearson 21, 08034 Barcelona, SPAIN

Abstract: Although social entrepreneurial organizations have begun to receive more scholarly attention, we still know relatively little about how they are able to create both social and economic value. This paper presents a comparative case analysis of three social entrepreneurial organizations, based in Bangladesh, Egypt and Spain, whose success has been widely recognized. Analysis of these organizations' business models reveals common patterns: in their use of strategic resources, in their value networks, and in their customer interface. The findings suggest that successful social entrepreneurial organizations pro-actively create their own value network of companies that share their social vision; develop resource strategies as an integral part of the business model; and integrate the target group into the social value network. Propositions are advanced regarding the business models of successful social entrepreneurial organizations.

Keywords: social entrepreneurship; business model; developing countries

22 pages, October 7, 2005

Full text files

DI-0610-E.pdf PDF-file 

Download statistics

Questions (including download problems) about the papers in this series should be directed to Noelia Romero ()
Report other problems with accessing this service to Sune Karlsson ().

This page generated on 2024-02-05 15:47:28.