Theorizing tensions in social enterprise-corporate collaborations

Collaborations involving social enterprises (SEs) and corporations are growing in number and scope. Since these organizations can be different in size, power and mission, their interaction can produce effects both on the... [ view full abstract ]

Collaborations involving social enterprises (SEs) and corporations are growing in number and scope. Since these organizations can be different in size, power and mission, their interaction can produce effects both on the collaboration itself but also on the partnering organizations. This paper draws on existing empirical literature to investigate and conceptualize how collaborating with corporations can influence the internal management of social enterprises. Social enterprises are here conceived as organizations that are constantly pervaded by tensions due to their need to pursue both an economic and a social goal. The outcome of the analysis is the development of a framework on how these tensions can be exacerbated or reduced through partnering with organizations such as corporations that are predominantly guided by a purely economic logic.