WISE: The Dominant Irish Social Enterprise Model

In Ireland, as elsewhere, the term Social Enterprise is a contested concept. This is in part due to ambiguity about the terms social economy and social enterprise but also due to the way in which organisations referred to as... [ view full abstract ]

In Ireland, as elsewhere, the term Social Enterprise is a contested concept. This is in part due to ambiguity about the terms social economy and social enterprise but also due to the way in which organisations referred to as social enterprises have emerged in Ireland and the advocacy and policy discourse that surrounds the concept.

The objective of this paper is to explain how the social economy is understood in Ireland and trace the emergence of the concept of social enterprise within this context. Social enterprise, as understood by Irish academics and in policy discourse is discussed in this paper. It is argued that the two dominant academic approaches to understanding social enterprise – the US and EMES approach - have influenced the Irish interpretation of social enterprise, and in the process has contributed to some of the associated ambiguity.

In this paper, it is suggested that WISEs, Work Integration Social Enterprises, have emerged as the dominant Irish Social Enterprise Model, due in part to statutory influences and some of the earliest policy discourse. This is confirmed in a 2013 government-sponsored review of the sector. An overview of the objectives, activities and operational model of Irish WISEs is provided. The paper is concluded with a discussion of some of the current challenges and opportunities for the sector.