Toward a Typology of Social Enterprises in the USA: Some Distinguishing Characteristics

Abstract This paper presents a hypothesis of some social enterprise types in the USA based on their role orientation in the larger socioeconomic context and identifies variables that may be used to distinguish them.... [ view full abstract ]

Abstract
This paper presents a hypothesis of some social enterprise types in the USA based on their role orientation in the larger socioeconomic context and identifies variables that may be used to distinguish them. Self-identified social enterprises and those recognized as such by proxy organizations such as Ashoka, Skoll Foundation, Social Enterprise Alliance were sources of data for this study that used grounded theory method. The types are (1) commercial and nonprofit enterprises that trade for a social cause such as environmental conservation, access to markets, fair wages, etc. (Trading for Social Cause); (2) organizations that enable grassroots social change focused on directly working with specific populations for providing basic human needs such as healthcare, food, sanitation, and education, etc. (Grassroots Transformation); or, (3) those who contribute in a systemic way through advocacy for social justice, human rights, democracy, etc., (Social Advocacy). I conclude that social enterprise types in the USA may be distinguished using the following variables: roles played by social enterprises (cause, grassroots local solutions, and social advocacy); organizational proximity (close or distant); and benefit proximity (direct or indirect).