Social Entrepreneurship

The Meaning of “Social Entrepreneurship”, J. Gregory Dees
The article clearly sets the difference from a social entrepreneurship to a conventional entrepreneurship. According to the author, an entrepreneur is someone who seeks for changing opportunities in the existing economy. The initial idea is often bigger than the current resource. However, it does not limit the individual of achieving his or her goal. Social Entrepreneurship has the same basis of traditional entrepreneurship, but differs from its intended users. Another difference is the calculation of value. While business ventures calculate their value by how much the consumers is willing to pay for the service provided, social value cannot be calculated in the same way since the users often do not have the financial capabilities to pay for the service. However, the tone of the article felt idealized. It describes more what an ideal social entrepreneur should be rather than defining it. The author creates a list of personal characteristics that a person interested in being a social entrepreneur should have in order to succeed.

Reshaping Social Entrepreneurship, Paul C. Light.
Contrary to the first article, Paul C. Light somehow confronts the traditional idea of a social entrepreneur being of an innovative individual often ignoring groups and organization that obtain the same social change and impact. The author clearly points out the disadvantages of this definition as putting too much emphasis on a social leader rather than on the social mission. As analyzed by the author, it is hard to find all the skills necessary to succeed in a person. Hence, it is not about a great leader but a great team. He also deals with the idea that social entrepreneurship is not restricted to nonprofit sector but to any group or individuals.

The Social Entrepreneurship: The Case for Definition, Roger L. Martin and Sally Osberg.
While Paul C. Light opens the definition of social entrepreneurship to any group or individuals with means to social “pattern breaking” changes, in this article the authors try to establish different categories of social activities. As a consequence, they re affirm the definition of Social entrepreneurship. They discuss the need to define its meaning since the term has been used in so many areas that they fear that its importance might be lost. The authors do not undermine the importance of others social activities, such as social service and social activism. In fact they analyze the successful use of “hybrid models” by organizations and individuals. It is important to know the difference between these models so people know how to apply the strong characteristics of each model into a stronger result.