Title: Collective social entrepreneurship for sustainable impact: a framework proposal

Authors: Vanessa Mato-Santiso; Marta Rey-García

Addresses: Department of Business, University of A Coruña, Campus de Elviña s/n, 15071, A Coruña, Spain ' Department of Business, University of A Coruña, Campus de Elviña s/n, 15071, A Coruña, Spain

Abstract: Collective social entrepreneurship (CSE) has gained in importance over the last decade as a set of new approaches to solve complex social problems. This paper aims to better understand the conditions under which CSE may achieve sustainable impact. To fulfil that goal, we propose a conceptual framework that relates the antecedents, enablers and outcomes of CSE. The framework is applied to assess the maturity of a large cross-sector alliance in the field of work integration through case study research methods (Yin, 1994). Regarding main theoretical contributions and empirical findings, we: 1) propose a set of six key inter-organisational enablers to assess the maturity of CSE towards the creation of a shared value ecosystem; 2) highlight the potential role of integrated and innovative corporate social responsibility as both antecedent and enabler of CSE; 3) shed light on the challenge of measurement of CSE outcomes and their contingency on factors beyond alliance boundaries; 4) illustrate the tensions derived from disparate goals, language differences and asymmetric alliance learning in a CSE.

Keywords: collective social entrepreneurship; CSE; sustainable impact; collective impact; shared value ecosystem; systemic change; inter-organisational enablers; alliance learning; work integration; vulnerable groups.

DOI: 10.1504/WREMSD.2019.098478

World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 2019 Vol.15 No.1/2, pp.10 - 28

Received: 05 Jul 2017
Accepted: 03 Aug 2017
Published online: 25 Mar 2019 *

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