Poster Presentation
Gavan Cleary, Dublin Institute of Technology, gavan.cleary@dit.ie
Abstract: This research evaluates the application of the principals of effectuation theory to the creation and early-stage development of new social enterprise ventures in Ireland. Research in the field of effectuation theory has largely been limited to commercial enterprise, and to ascertaining whether the principles of effectuation are evident in retrospect, (i.e. did this happen?). The application of effectuation theory in social enterprise is largely unexplored, despite indications that it may be particularly applicable in this context (Corner & Ho, 2010).
It is proposed that a mixed methods research design can be used to advance research in the field of effectuation and contribute to evaluating how the deliberate application of the principals of effectuation influences the creation and early-stage development of new social enterprise ventures (i.e. does this work?).
it is anticipated that it will be necessary to quantify the experience of effectuation in Irish social enterprise prior to undertaking an in-depth analysis of its deliberate application in creating new social enterprise ventures. It is intended therefore, to adopt a pragmatic research philosophy and sequential mixed methods approach (Saunders, Lewis, & Thornhill, 2009).
Phase 1: A quantitative study (online survey) will be used to determine whether the founders of established social enterprises in Ireland experienced similar phenomena to those identified in the original effectuation research (Sarasvathy, 2001). This will serve to test the premise that these phenomena are experienced by entrepreneurs who establish successful social enterprise ventures (did it happen?).
Phase 2: A longitudinal (2 years), ethnographic, qualitative study focused on two cohorts of incipient and early stage social enterprises in Ireland will determine the effect of the application of the principals of effectuation (does it work?)
It is anticipated that adopting this approach will contribute to efforts to examine the principals of effectuation theory, to determine whether these principals are evident in retrospect in social enterprise, and to advance research in the field by studying the influence of the planned application of these principals by social entrepreneurs engaged in the creation of new social enterprise ventures.
References:
Corner, P. D., & Ho, M. (2010). How Opportunities Develop in Social Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship: Theory & Practice, 34(4), 635–659. http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-...
Sarasvathy, S. D. (2001). CAUSATION AND EFFECTUATION: TOWARD A THEORETICAL SHIFT FROM ECONOMIC INEVITABILITY TO ENTREPRENEURIAL CONTINGENCY. Academy of Management Review, 26(2), 243–263. Retrieved from http://10.0.21.89/AMR.2001.437...
Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2009). Research methods for business students (5th ed.). Harlow: Financial Times Prentice Hall.
2. Social innovation and social entrepreneurship
