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Social Enterprise: Implications of Emerging Institutionalized Constructions

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  • Ulrika Levander

Abstract

In contemporary discourse social enterprise is often described as a new and innovative phenomenon aiming to solve current challenges of the welfare state. However, social enterprise can also be seen as a complex set of discourses within an institutionally constructed narrative designed to build identity and gain legitimacy. Using theoretical frameworks from neo-institutionalism in a critical discourse analysis the concept of social enterprise is here analyzed discursively both at a policy level and at the practitioner's level in contemporary Scandinavian discourse. Whilst the latter discourses conceptualize social enterprise as a method to empower marginalized individuals or disadvantaged groups, the findings show that the discourses outlined at a policy level primarily talk of social enterprise as being a solution to structural issues across society. Policy discourses suggest that focal actors within social enterprises are supposed to change and to be disciplined in order to address their social difficulties, rather than to be empowered. This paper suggests that the discourses around social enterprise not only embody solutions to social ills, but may also exert an influence over the governance of social enterprises and over their work.

Suggested Citation

  • Ulrika Levander, 2010. "Social Enterprise: Implications of Emerging Institutionalized Constructions," Journal of Social Entrepreneurship, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 1(2), pages 213-230, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jsocen:v:1:y:2010:i:2:p:213-230
    DOI: 10.1080/19420676.2010.511815
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    Cited by:

    1. Pascal Dey & Chris Steyaert, 2016. "Rethinking the Space of Ethics in Social Entrepreneurship: Power, Subjectivity, and Practices of Freedom," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 133(4), pages 627-641, February.
    2. Pascal Dey & Othmar Lehner, 2017. "Registering Ideology in the Creation of Social Entrepreneurs: Intermediary Organizations, ‘Ideal Subject’ and the Promise of Enjoyment," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 142(4), pages 753-767, June.
    3. Gianluca Misuraca & Csaba Kucsera & Fiorenza Lipparini & Christian Voigt & Raluca Radescu, 2016. "Mapping and Analysis of ICT-enabled Social Innovation initiatives promoting social investment in integrated approaches to the provision of social services: IESI Knowledge Map 2015," JRC Research Reports JRC101042, Joint Research Centre.
    4. Gianluca Misuraca & Csaba Kucsera & Giulio Pasi & Dimitri Gagliardi & Fabienne Abadie, 2017. "Mapping and Analysis of ICT-enabled Social Innovation initiatives promoting social investment across the EU: IESI Knowledge Map 2016," JRC Research Reports JRC105556, Joint Research Centre.

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