The Role of Social Entrepreneurship in Post-Katrina Community Recovery

Abstract

This article explores the role of social entrepreneurship in post-Katrina community recovery. Relying on interviews with a wide variety of stakeholders, including residents, business owners and managers, church pastors, non-profit directors and employees and rental property owners, we conclude that social entrepreneurs perform several key factors after a disaster. These include: A) helping to solve the collective action problem associated with deciding to return and rebuild, B) organising and engaging in outreach, activism and advocacy on behalf of their communities, C) directly assisting in rebuilding efforts and providing essential services.

We also pay special attention to how some of these efforts are being frustrated by policy makers and officials.

Keywords: social entepreneurship, post-disaster recovery, Hurricane Katrina, collective action problem