Policy-Making and Implementation of Social Enterprise Promotion in South Korea

In the early 2000s, the South Korean government initiated social enterprise promotion policy in response to new social needs resulting from the adoption of neo-liberal capitalism. In the wake of the 1997 the Asian financial... [ view full abstract ]

In the early 2000s, the South Korean government initiated social enterprise promotion policy in response to new social needs resulting from the adoption of neo-liberal capitalism. In the wake of the 1997 the Asian financial crisis, the South Korean government’s promotion of social enterprise was designed provide temporary jobs for the disadvantaged and create a social service market. This policy has raised question about the extent to which the government’s promotion policy can lead to self-help and to the sustainable development of community-based social enterprises. This article describes the historical development of the social enterprise promotion policy, using Winter’s theoretical model to link policy formulation and implementation. By connecting policy-making to implementation, the author offers an institutional framework that will enhance the sustainability of Korea’s social economy. It concludes by recommending revised institutional approaches and policy scientific analysis for further development of social enterprises in Korea.