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Conceptualising the public health role of actors operating outside of formal health systems: The case of social enterprise

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  • Roy, Michael J.
  • Baker, Rachel
  • Kerr, Susan

Abstract

This paper focuses on the role of actors that operate outside formal health systems, but nevertheless have a vital, if often under-recognised, role in supporting public health. The specific example used is the ‘social enterprise’, an organisation that seeks, through trading, to maximise social returns, rather than the distribution of profits to shareholders or owners. In this paper we advance empirical and theoretical understanding of the causal pathways at work in social enterprises, by considering them as a particularly complex form of public health ‘intervention’. Data were generated through qualitative, in depth, semi-structured interviews and a focus group discussion, with a purposive, maximum variation sample of social enterprise practitioners (n = 13) in an urban setting in the west of Scotland. A method of analysis inspired by critical realism – Causation Coding – enabled the identification of a range of explanatory mechanisms and potential pathways of causation between engagement in social enterprise-led activity and various outcomes, which have been grouped into physical health, mental health and social determinants. The findings then informed the construction of an empirically-informed conceptual model to act as a platform upon which to develop a future research agenda. The results of this work are considered to not only encourage a broader and more imaginative consideration of what actually constitutes a public health intervention, but also reinforces arguments that actors within the Third Sector have an important role to play in addressing contemporary and future public health challenges.

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  • Roy, Michael J. & Baker, Rachel & Kerr, Susan, 2017. "Conceptualising the public health role of actors operating outside of formal health systems: The case of social enterprise," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 144-152.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:172:y:2017:i:c:p:144-152
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.11.009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Macaulay, Bobby & Mazzei, Micaela & Roy, Michael J. & Teasdale, Simon & Donaldson, Cam, 2018. "Differentiating the effect of social enterprise activities on health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 211-217.
    3. Kirsten Thecla Verkooijen & Sabina Super & Lisanne Sofie Mulderij & Dico de Jager & Annemarie Wagemakers, 2020. "Using Realist Interviews to Improve Theory on the Mechanisms and Outcomes of Sport for Development Programmes," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(3), pages 152-161.
    4. Sabrina Rondeau & Sara M. Stricker & Chantel Kozachenko & Kate Parizeau, 2020. "Understanding Motivations for Volunteering in Food Insecurity and Food Upcycling Projects," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-17, March.
    5. Cicellin, Mariavittoria & Adriana Scuotto, & Canonico, Paolo & Consiglio, Stefano & Mercurio, Lorenzo, 2019. "Understanding the low cost business model in healthcare service provision: A comparative case study in Italy," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).

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