Definition, dimensions and ecosystem of social enterprises in Peru

In the last fifteen years in Peru interest in promoting the social enterprise (SE) movement has grown. Nonetheless, this concern has been accompanied by scarce initiatives to generate knowledge that contributes to an... [ view full abstract ]

In the last fifteen years in Peru interest in promoting the social enterprise (SE) movement has grown. Nonetheless, this concern has been accompanied by scarce initiatives to generate knowledge that contributes to an understanding of the peculiarities and complexities of this sector. This study aims to breach the aforementioned gap by exploring the nature and context of the SE movement in Peru. The chapter reports the results of an extensive literature review and 39 interviews conducted with government officials, social entrepreneurs, academics, and non-governmental or multilateral aid delegates. First, the chapter examines the prevailing conceptualization of SE used in the local context and also runs through, with historical perspective, others terms than have connections with that conceptualization. Next, the research focuses on models of SE that operate in Peru, those models were generated by using theoretical SE dimensions developed by EMES. Finally, it provides a brief review of the local SE ecosystem in order to identify the main institutions and the legal framework that shape the SE profile.