Social Entrepreneurship: Towards an Entrepreneurial Culture for Social and Economic Development

34 Pages Posted: 14 Apr 2007

See all articles by Susan M. Davis

Susan M. Davis

Ashoka: Innovators for the Public

Date Written: July 31, 2002

Abstract

We have learned significant lessons about how to foster an entrepreneurial culture globally that encourages and supports people, particularly young women and men, in the context of creating decent work for all. Five of these lessons stand out with a particular emphasis on the fifth. First, we must shift how we see work and people's relationship to it throughout their life cycle. This new architecture of work also has profound implications for social and economic policy. Second, we must shift the focus of today's dominant neo-liberal macroeconomic policies from primarily fighting inflation and protecting investors to promoting decent work and employment-intensive, environmentally sustainable growth. Third, we should remove all barriers, particularly those created by government or within its power to change, that block or discourage people's entrepreneurship. Fourth, ensuring access to credit without collateral for the poorest, and other productive resources, are essential ingredients to embed entrepreneurship and self-employment throughout every strata of society, including women and men of all ages; new financial services are also needed for the growth of the citizen sector. Fifth, we must promote, cultivate, and value social entrepreneurship as a profession. The key challenge in cultivating an entrepreneurial culture globally is figuring out the best ways to unleash the potential of all people to innovate, create, catalyze, be resourceful, solve problems and take advantage of opportunities while being ethical.

Keywords: social entrepreneurship, empowerment, employment, ILO, youth

Suggested Citation

Davis, Susan M., Social Entrepreneurship: Towards an Entrepreneurial Culture for Social and Economic Development (July 31, 2002). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=978868 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.978868

Susan M. Davis

Ashoka: Innovators for the Public ( email )

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