Title: Key success factors of social entrepreneurs in Lebanon

Authors: Bettina Lynda Bastian; Charbel M. El Khoury; Ina Aurelia Pfeifer Issa; Perla Ghattas

Addresses: USEK Business School, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Lebanon ' USEK Business School, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Lebanon ' USEK Business School, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Lebanon ' USEK Business School, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Lebanon

Abstract: This paper aims to identify and analyze the key success factors of some active Lebanese social entrepreneurs. Lebanon represents a developing context characterized by stark cultural and economic divides with weak governmental institutions. A multi-level research approach was adopted for this study that empirically draws on interpretive research methodology and explores the research question based on in-depth interviews with eight social entrepreneurs in Lebanon. Our findings suggest that it is crucial to understand key success factors of social entrepreneurs within a complex multi-layered system (micro, meso, and macro) of interdependent variables that shape social entrepreneurial ambitions and activities in order to grasp the experiences and perceptions of social entrepreneurs in specific contexts. Our study identified critical success factors for social entrepreneurs, and it isolated from among them salient factors particularly pertinent in developing contexts, such as the role of social networks, social inclusion skills, and civic innovation capabilities.

Keywords: social entrepreneurs; entrepreneurship; developing countries; success factors; Lebanon.

DOI: 10.1504/WREMSD.2020.107289

World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 2020 Vol.16 No.3, pp.329 - 357

Received: 11 Sep 2019
Accepted: 02 Feb 2020
Published online: 11 May 2020 *

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