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The governance of social enterprises: Mission drift and accountability challenges in hybrid organizations
... Despite this growing interest, there remains significant ambiguity surrounding the legal identity and operational framework of social enterprises in Indonesia. According to many sources (Doherty et al., 2014;Ebrahim et al., 2014;Grassl, 2012;Ridley-Duff, 2008), social enterprises are hybrid organizations that ...
... Accountability and transparency are critical for balancing corporate and social objectives. Ebrahim et al. (2014) and Loan (2018) The Connection between Goals … Page 140 these ten businesses were chosen. In addition to being listed in the directory, the selection process considered factors such as sectoral diversity, geographic representation, and the scale of their social impact. ...
... Striking a balance between social and financial goals is essential to avoid mission drift, where overemphasis on one aspect undermines the enterprise's identity (Ebrahim et al., 2014;Civera et al., 2020). As one social enterprise founder noted, maintaining this balance requires strategic decision-making and long-term vision. ...
Social Entrepreneurship is a growing business model that addresses social and environmental issues through products and services. In Indonesia, the ecosystem supporting Social Entrepreneurship is expanding, but the lack of a unified definition and slow government recognition has led to varied practices and outcomes. This study aims to explore how Social Enterprises disclose their corporate identity and maintain accountability. Using Identity and Stakeholder Theory, the study examines five key identity aspects: mission, activity, governance, performance, and accountability. A multiple case study approach was applied to 10 Indonesian Social Enterprises chosen for their prominence and diversity. Data were gathered from official company websites, supported by interviews and CEO presentations from webinars in 2022 and 2023. Thematic analysis using NVivo software identified patterns across these identity aspects. The findings show that Social Enterprises prioritize social values like community development, empowerment, welfare, and sustainability over profit generation. Institutional commitment is reflected in impact reports, achievement profiles, SDG disclosures, and media coverage. However, financial performance is rarely disclosed, and accountability practices vary between formal impact reporting and informal stakeholder engagement. This study contributes by offering a framework for understanding how Social Enterprises disclose their identity and stay accountable. It also provides practical guidelines for policymakers and practitioners to strengthen the Social Entrepreneurship ecosystem in Indonesia. Future research should further explore the financial performance and long-term impact of Social Enterprises to balance social and economic goals.
... No obstante, algunos autores señalan que estas relaciones pueden enfrentar desafíos debido a diferencias culturales y de objetivos entre las partes involucradas (Ebrahim et al., 2014). La falta de comprensión mutua puede llevar a expectativas no alineadas, afectando negativamente la colaboración (Smith y Woods, 2015). ...
... Esta colaboración no solo ayuda a reducir la contaminación marina, sino que también crea productos innovadores y sostenibles que se alinean con la misión medioambiental de Patagonia 4 . Ebrahim et al. (2014) señalan que, al colaborar con estas entidades, las empresas tradicionales no solo diversifican su cartera de productos y servicios, sino que también adoptan prácticas sostenibles que mejoran su competitividad a largo plazo. Sin embargo, es importante destacar que la integración de la innovación social requiere una alineación cuidadosa de los objetivos y valores organizacionales, lo cual puede ser un desafío significativo (Smith y Woods, 2015). ...
... Uno de los principales desafíos en las colaboraciones entre EES y empresas tradicionales radica en las diferencias culturales y de objetivos entre ambas partes. Las EES, que a menudo se centran en objetivos sociales y medioambientales, pueden tener valores y prioridades diferentes a las empresas tradicionales, cuyo enfoque principal suele ser la maximización de beneficios económicos (Ebrahim et al., 2014). Estas diferencias pueden llevar a malentendidos y conflictos, afectando negativamente la colaboración (Smith y Woods, 2015;Alinaghian y Razmdoost, 2021). ...
Esta comunicación examina la importancia de las alianzas estratégicas entre entidades de economía social (EES) y empresas tradicionales en el marco del programa Buy Social: B2B Market de la Unión Europea. Utilizando un enfoque metodológico mixto que incluye revisiones bibliográficas, estudios de casos y análisis de políticas, el estudio investiga cómo estas colaboraciones pueden generar beneficios económicos y sociales significativos. Los resultados muestran que las EES, al asociarse con empresas tradicionales, pueden acceder a recursos y mercados anteriormente inaccesibles, mientras que las empresas tradicionales pueden mejorar su competitividad y reputación mediante la adopción de prácticas de responsabilidad social. Además, se identifican barreras y desafíos clave que deben ser superados para maximizar el potencial de estas alianzas.
... Moreover, De Luca et al. (2024) highlight how certified benefit corporations contribute to CSR disclosure, pointing to the necessity of further research on non-certified entities. Given the limited presence of studies on the quality of benefit corporations' impact reports and the propensity to promote the accountability of these companies (Ebrahim, Battilana, and Mair 2014), this study aims to analyse the disclosure practices of benefit corporations through their impact reports, assessing the quality of disclosure and investigating some explanatory factors of their quality. A quality index for impact reports is proposed as an adaptation of Michelon, Pilonato, and Ricceri (2015) and applied to the case of Italian benefit corporations, where the publication of an annual impact report is mandated by law since 2016 (Riolfo 2019). ...
... Given the dual purpose of benefit corporations, research has shown the challenges in terms of mission drift and accountability (Ebrahim, Battilana, and Mair 2014) and the risk of 'greenwashing' (Liute and De Giacomo 2022) or 'benefit washing'. Stecker (2016) emphasised how it is essential to ensure that benefit corporations hold substantial significance and that their annual reports are a useful tool for monitoring the consistency between what companies say and what they do. ...
Benefit corporations are businesses characterised by a dual purpose: profit and the common good. While these businesses are expected to pursue a high level of transparency, some studies have noted ambiguous and inconsistent behaviour in the quality of their reports and communication with stakeholders. The literature proposed reporting quality indexes and identified explanatory factors, although specific research on disclosure quality among benefit corporations is lacking. This study aimed to fill this gap by proposing a methodology to assess the quality of sustainability disclosure in benefit corporations. Drawing from a sample of their sustainability reporting in Italy, the study applies qualitative content analysis to create the disclosure quality index and uses a regression model to test potential antecedents. The findings indicate a generally low level of disclosure quality and limited impact of third‐party certification and control mechanisms. These results raise questions on the accountability of benefit corporations and the limitations of their mandatory reporting.
... Brokering between government bodies, business enterprises and CSOs enables control of information flows, and the mediating role between sectors provides possibilities to exploit the lack of contact between others when competition is at play (Burt, 1992). On the downside, multiple goals may induce mission drift (Ebrahim et al., 2014), in which an organisation loses its direction and cannot properly follow any clear course of action. Furthermore, hybrid organisations may face dysfunctional lock-in situations in which contradictory goals result in an inability to find a way out of the detrimental predicament (Vakkuri and Johanson, 2020). in producing a high volume of products and services, akin to business operations, cannot be easily reached (Charnes, 1994). ...
... In this sense, a combination of mechanical solidarity tied to kinship and place and organic solidarity connected to the division of labour in capitalist markets is required to integrate resource generation with community development (Jäger and Schröer, 2014). Ebrahim et al. (2014) refer to mission drift among SEs that compro-mise between customer orientation and beneficiary orientation. ...
A fundamental theoretical problem is understanding hybridity
at different levels of societal activities and decision-making. In other words, how can the notion of hybridity be extended from an organisational problem to other facets and contexts of societal activities?
... Brokering between government bodies, business enterprises and CSOs enables control of information flows, and the mediating role between sectors provides possibilities to exploit the lack of contact between others when competition is at play (Burt, 1992). On the downside, multiple goals may induce mission drift (Ebrahim et al., 2014), in which an organisation loses its direction and cannot properly follow any clear course of action. Furthermore, hybrid organisations may face dysfunctional lock-in situations in which contradictory goals result in an inability to find a way out of the detrimental predicament (Vakkuri and Johanson, 2020). in producing a high volume of products and services, akin to business operations, cannot be easily reached (Charnes, 1994). ...
... In this sense, a combination of mechanical solidarity tied to kinship and place and organic solidarity connected to the division of labour in capitalist markets is required to integrate resource generation with community development (Jäger and Schröer, 2014). Ebrahim et al. (2014) refer to mission drift among SEs that compro-mise between customer orientation and beneficiary orientation. ...
Complex policy problems do not follow the definitions of sectoral or organisational mandates in which individual concerns are linked to specific policy problems and where the respective accountabilities are easily demonstrated through the performance of individual policies.
... When legitimate coercion is lesser (Min, an, and Ki 2024), bargaining and compromise take place (Oliver 1991), and social enterprises may assimilate some logics from the state as well as other partners whom the social enterprise depend on (Ramus, Vaccaro, and Brusoni 2017;Vickers et al. 2017). the process of assimilation sheds the light on the ability of social enterprises to successfully incorporate external dimensions, or in other words, to integrate specific elements from other logics so they can co-exist together in the same structure, and where each logic is managed separately (ebrahim, Battilana, and Mair 2014;Mair, Mayer, and lutz 2015;Mason and Doherty 2016;Pache and santos 2013;smith, Gonin, and Besharov 2013). hence, elements of state logics appear in the social enterprise structure, but the social organisation is not entirely controlled by the power of the state or the directions of its logics. ...
... in our case, Will realised that some of its programs diverge in the means but have same end goals if compared to those of the state (Najam 2000), and hence, the state will be interested to provide support to Will to implement these programs as they concur with state agenda. this mechanism also coincides with the concept of selective coupling (Mair, Mayer, and lutz 2015;Pache and santos 2013) and assimilation (ebrahim, Battilana, and Mair 2014;Mason and Doherty 2016;Vickers et al. 2017), where Will was able to create its own programs; part of which are implemented through government centres or using public equipment, and other parts are carried out by other partners. When being implemented through the government, an intense form of hierarchal authority appears and Will smuggles through. ...
This paper explores the mechanisms by which incumbent social enterprises navigate, respond, and circumvent state tensions in dysfunctional markets. This study employs an exploratory qualitative single case study design and analysis using the Gioia Methodology. Data triangulation is followed through multiple interviews and secondary data. By introducing the ‘Typology for Social Organizations’ Coordinating Mechanisms in Response to State Coercive Power Logics’, this paper is an original attempt to understand the innovative mechanisms by which incumbent social enterprises navigate coercive institutional pressures rather than lobbying or confrontation that is mainstreamed in the literature.
... The private sector, with its innovation-driven mindset and access to capital, is wellpositioned to develop cutting-edge technologies and bring them to market. Meanwhile, the public sector plays a critical role in creating the regulatory environment, providing funding for research and development, and ensuring that the benefits of technological advances are distributed equitably across society (Ebrahim, Battilana & Mair, 2014, Soni & T. Krishnan, 2014. By encouraging collaboration between these sectors, regions can create a more conducive environment for innovation and accelerate the development and deployment of new technologies. ...
... This includes developing regulations and guidelines that support the responsible use of AI, cybersecurity best practices, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies. Regions that lag behind on these issues risk falling behind in the global digital economy, missing out on investment opportunities and technological advancements (Ebrahim, Battilana & Mair, 2014, Soni & T. Krishnan, 2014. Policymakers must work closely with international bodies, industry leaders, and academic institutions to ensure that regional policies are flexible enough to accommodate rapid technological change. ...
The integration of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced technological ecosystems has become a cornerstone for driving regional economic development and fostering innovation. This paper proposes a practical framework designed to enhance the synergy between these domains, aiming to create a robust foundation for regional economic growth. The framework emphasizes the role of secure digital infrastructures, AI-driven solutions, and collaborative ecosystems in addressing emerging challenges while leveraging opportunities for technological advancement. The study explores key elements required to build resilient cybersecurity systems that protect critical assets and foster trust in digital platforms. Additionally, it examines how AI-powered technologies can optimize resource allocation, improve decision-making, and support the scalability of innovation-driven initiatives. The framework also highlights the importance of interconnected technological ecosystems that enable knowledge sharing, cross-sector collaboration, and the efficient deployment of advanced technologies across industries. Through an analysis of case studies and best practices, the research identifies actionable strategies for implementing this framework, such as establishing cybersecurity hubs, promoting AI literacy, and incentivizing public-private partnerships. The findings underscore the critical need for workforce upskilling, regulatory alignment, and scalable funding models to address barriers such as resource constraints and technological gaps. Furthermore, the paper explores the role of regional policy interventions in accelerating the adoption of these strategies to promote economic resilience and technological competitiveness. This framework provides policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers with a roadmap for harnessing the transformative potential of cybersecurity, AI, and technological ecosystems. By aligning innovation strategies with regional economic priorities, this approach not only safeguards digital assets but also drives sustainable development and long-term economic benefits. The research advocates for proactive collaboration and continuous adaptation to ensure that technological advancements align with regional development goals.
... Second, regarding specifying desired end/conflicting objectives, in SOEs, there are bound to be multiple interests arising from agents and numerous principals, such as governments and citizens (Cuervo-Cazurra et al., 2014). The presence of numerous principals means that there are numerous goals for SOEs (Kloviene and Gimzauskiene, 2016;Ebrahim et al., 2014) as these numerous principals attempt to specify the numerous goals (Aharoni, 1981). These numerous goals lead to conflicting institutional demands (Dai et al., 2016), which send conflicting signals to the board (Frederick, 2011), who, if not properly monitored, may engage in opportunistic behaviour as they would have received the signal that owners are not able to specify their desired end. ...
... Stewardship and democratic theoretical models are the key organisational governance models, according to Amoako and Goh (2015), Anheier and Krlev (2016), Low (2006) and Mason et al. (2006); nevertheless, some scholars add agency theory (Tobing et al., 2024;Boateng, 2016;Rajablu, 2016;Simpson, 2014). Stakeholder theory (Boateng, 2016;Low, 2006) and shareholder primacy theory (Eldar, 2017;Ackers, 2014;Ebrahim et al., 2014) are two of these governance models' most significant theoretical perspectives. Boateng (2016) argues that these perspectives broaden the scope of organisational governance beyond the standard agent-principal model of corporate leadership. ...
Purpose
This paper aims to formulate a research agenda by developing a conceptual framework for studying and mitigating corporate governance issues in state-owned enterprises (SOEs), considering pertinent management theories and theories of the firm as described in the contemporary academic discourse on SOEs.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors commenced broadly with the traditional narrative review method to understand the field of corporate governance in SOEs in line with subject matter knowledge. The authors carefully identified studies on corporate governance of SOEs and read them, noting and following relevant citations. The authors then proceed with a more methodical (qualitative) systematic literature review (QSLR) process, selecting more explicit articles and taking advantage of the complementarity of narrative and QSLR methods.
Findings
The review identifies seven pertinent theories in the organisational field of SOEs and describes five of the seven theories that must be conceptualised in examining corporate governance issues in SOEs. Following the description of the theories, this paper suggests a novel strategy for minimising corporate governance issues in SOEs by bringing together corporate governance problems in SOEs and offering insights into how the management theories and the theories of the firm may be applied in studying and mitigating corporate governance problems in SOEs, considering their practices and characteristics.
Practical implications
This review paper responds to calls for further research into public entrepreneurship and elaborates theories applicable to studying corporate governance in SOEs. This involves navigating through SOEs literature, focusing on theories and how they might be conceptualised to explore corporate governance issues in SOEs. This represents the largest research convergence on SOEs, given that various corporate governance challenges typically face SOEs worldwide.
Originality/value
The review offers guidance on applying theories to understand corporate governance challenges in SOEs, particularly using the identified theories in specific corporate governance problem areas. This study appears to be one of the only ones on this topic. Thus, the propositions put forth suggest that the conceptualisation of corporate governance in SOEs in this paper adds value for academics, practitioners and policymaker observers.
... Regions must focus on upgrading their cybersecurity defenses, expanding broadband connectivity, and supporting the digitalization of key sectors such as healthcare, education, finance, and manufacturing. These efforts will provide businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs with the tools and resources necessary to adopt AI-driven solutions and ensure that their systems remain secure (Ebrahim, Battilana & Mair, 2014, Soni & T. Krishnan, 2014. Policy initiatives must include providing incentives for businesses to invest in secure and scalable technologies. ...
... By prioritizing training in AI and cybersecurity, regions can develop a skilled workforce that not only supports local businesses but also attracts global investment. Partnerships between academic institutions and industries can be leveraged to design curriculums that address the rapidly changing demands of the tech industry (Ebrahim, Battilana & Mair, 2014, Soni & T. Krishnan, 2014. The government can also incentivize industry players to contribute to workforce development by offering scholarships, internships, or on-thejob training programs that provide hands-on experience in these critical fields. ...
The integration of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced technological ecosystems has become a cornerstone for driving regional economic development and fostering innovation. This paper proposes a practical framework designed to enhance the synergy between these domains, aiming to create a robust foundation for regional economic growth. The framework emphasizes the role of secure digital infrastructures, AI-driven solutions, and collaborative ecosystems in addressing emerging challenges while leveraging opportunities for technological advancement. The study explores key elements required to build resilient cybersecurity systems that protect critical assets and foster trust in digital platforms. Additionally, it examines how AI-powered technologies can optimize resource allocation, improve decision-making, and support the scalability of innovation-driven initiatives. The framework also highlights the importance of interconnected technological ecosystems that enable knowledge sharing, cross-sector collaboration, and the efficient deployment of advanced technologies across industries. Through an analysis of case studies and best practices, the research identifies actionable strategies for implementing this framework, such as establishing cybersecurity hubs, promoting AI literacy, and incentivizing public-private partnerships. The findings underscore the critical need for workforce upskilling, regulatory alignment, and scalable funding models to address barriers such as resource constraints and technological gaps. Furthermore, the paper explores the role of regional policy interventions in accelerating the adoption of these strategies to promote economic resilience and technological competitiveness. This framework provides policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers with a roadmap for harnessing the transformative potential of cybersecurity, AI, and technological ecosystems. By aligning innovation strategies with regional economic priorities, this approach not only safeguards digital assets but also drives sustainable development and long-term economic benefits. The research advocates for proactive collaboration and continuous adaptation to ensure that technological advancements align with regional development goals.
... In the last decades, stakeholder theory emerged as an alternative to shareholder-centered management (Freeman 1984, Donaldson and Preston 1995, Jones et al. 2007, Stout 2012, and its impact has increased over the years with the growing corporate attention to social responsibility, social impact, sustainability, and shared value (Porter and Kramer 2011, Bansal and DesJardine 2014, Ebrahim et al. 2014, Bacq and Aguilera 2022. More recently, strategy scholarship began to embrace stakeholderbased arguments as central to understanding value creation and appropriation. ...
Recent work in strategy has examined how distinctive stakeholder engagement promotes value creation and appropriation, leading to a proposed “new stakeholder theory” (NST). In developing this new literature stream, strategy scholars have adopted an instrumental (performance-oriented) and predictive approach, thus abstracting from normative considerations informing how companies should approach their stakeholders. This paper maintains that NST should explicitly state its underpinning normative assumptions, even if it keeps its predictive focus, for four main reasons; theorists may want to rule out unacceptable managerial behavior (which may still be consistent with a value creation logic), define the criteria to set the boundaries on stakeholders’ claims (those included and especially, those excluded from the value creation process), specify the working definition of “value” (which may differ from the usual emphasis on economic value), and discuss the downstream managerial implications of the proposed theory. The paper concludes by suggesting how to incorporate such normative assumptions in NST as a first analytical stage to guide subsequent predictions or explanations. It also outlines how this effort can benefit strategy research in general in cases where the underlying theoretical mechanisms involve the presence and engagement of stakeholders.
... Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) represent a distinctive hybrid organizational model in Indonesia, embodying dual objectives of promoting social welfare and driving economic development in rural communities. These enterprises uniquely combine social welfare and development logics with market-driven corporate frameworks (Besharov & Smith, 2014;Ebrahim et al., 2014;Mair et al., 2015). BUMDes are expected to achieve financial sustainability while fulfilling social missions that benefit local communities. ...
This study explores the relationships among entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE), entrepreneurial intention, and business performance in Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) in Indonesia. Using an explanatory research design and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with Partial Least Squares (PLS), data from 159 respondents were analyzed to examine the direct and mediated effects of ESE on business performance. Results indicate that ESE significantly influences both entrepreneurial intention and business performance, highlighting the critical role of self-efficacy in fostering entrepreneurial intentions that ultimately enhance the performance of village-owned enterprises. These findings suggest that enhancing ESE can lead to improved business outcomes, providing valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners aiming to support the growth of village-owned enterprises in Indonesia.
... These for-profit firms often seek and obtain B Corp certification. This is administered by B-Lab, a non-profit organisation that promotes socially oriented business practices by providing opportunities for businesses to voluntarily adopt responsible standards (Ebrahim et al., 2014;Galli et al., 2021). The certification process consists of a survey based on the B-Impact Assessment. ...
Frame of the research: The concept of Purpose-driven Businesses (PDBs) has emerged as a response to pressing global challenges, including climate change, social inequality, and biodiversity loss, which call for a fundamental rethinking of the role of businesses in addressing societal and environmental needs. While the term has gained significant traction, its precise meaning remains ambiguous, often overlapping with existing constructs in management literature, such as Corporate Social Responsibility and Shared Value Creation. This study operates at the intersection of these theoretical perspectives, aiming to provide a structured analytical framework for understanding how PDBs incorporate social and environmental values into their strategies and balance the diverse expectations of stakeholders. Purpose of the paper: This paper is the end product of an extended conversation and debate between a number of business management scholars with a particular interest in the concept of Purpose. This concept has been increasingly used to characterise businesses which do not only have a conventional commercial purpose but also a social one. Despite the popularity of the term, the precise meaning of "purpose" remains somewhat unclear, especially when compared to the wide set of constructs which have already been used in business management literature to refer to similar types of business. A deeper analysis of the differences and similarities with other related concepts is thus needed. This paper summarizes the results of this discussion and provides a detailed definition of PDBs. Methodology: This paper is the result of an open debate on the concept of Purpose, which began with a series of face-to-face and online discussions between management scholars with an interest in this area. Firstly, the group of scholars who participated identified the existing literature on purpose-driven businesses. Next, the theoretical approaches that were most closely aligned with this concept were identified and each one of them was assigned to the person with the most expertise in that area so that they could examine it in more detail for the purposes of this article. Finally, an agreed definition of PDBs was produced. Findings: This paper sets out the differences between PDBs and other similar concepts. Further, we provide a list of characteristics that PDBs must have, may have, and cannot have. 1 22 Research limitations: This article discusses theoretical approaches and is the result of collaboration between a number of scholars who specialize in the field. Our theoretical findings may suggest a way forward for future empirical studies. Practical implications: This paper provides a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of what is meant by PDBs, with practical implications for managers working at both day-today and strategic levels. Originality of the paper: This analysis was the result of a process of discussion between scholars working in the area of PDBs. The checklist of the elements that characterise PDBs is intended to be a useful point of reference for scholars and professionals working in this field.
... Successful issuers have engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including regulators, investors, third-party certifiers, and local communities, to ensure the credibility and effectiveness of their green bonds. For example, the city of Paris's green bonds were developed in consultation with local stakeholders, ensuring that the funded projects addressed community needs and delivered tangible benefits (Ebrahim, Battilana & Mair, 2014, Soni & T. Krishnan, 2014. This collaborative approach not only enhances the impact of green bonds but also strengthens their valuation by incorporating diverse perspectives and expertise. ...
The financial valuation of green bonds plays a pivotal role in supporting sustainability-focused energy investment portfolios and projects. As global efforts to combat climate change intensify, green bonds have emerged as critical instruments for financing renewable energy and other environmentally sustainable initiatives. This paper explores methodologies for valuing green bonds within sustainability-focused energy investment frameworks, emphasizing their financial, environmental, and social benefits. By leveraging financial modeling, risk assessment, and performance metrics, green bond valuation ensures optimal portfolio allocation while aligning with sustainability goals. Green bonds differ from traditional bonds by earmarking funds for green projects, including renewable energy generation, energy efficiency improvements, and carbon reduction initiatives. This study focuses on key valuation factors, including coupon rates, maturity periods, credit ratings, and market demand, while incorporating sustainability metrics such as environmental impact and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Advanced financial tools, including discounted cash flow analysis and Monte Carlo simulations, are utilized to model the risks and returns associated with green bond investments. Additionally, the paper addresses challenges in green bond valuation, such as the lack of standardization in reporting frameworks, potential greenwashing, and the evolving regulatory landscape. The importance of integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria into valuation methodologies is emphasized, highlighting how ESG-focused valuation enhances transparency and investor confidence. Case studies of successful green bond-funded energy projects are presented, demonstrating their positive environmental and financial outcomes. This research underscores the growing importance of green bonds in driving the transition to a low-carbon economy. By advancing robust valuation methodologies, stakeholders can effectively evaluate the financial and sustainability impact of green bonds, fostering greater investments in clean energy projects. The study also highlights the role of green bonds in achieving financial returns while addressing urgent climate challenges.
... DBS Bank's success in creating a unified platform for customer data and interactions highlights the importance of integration. By consolidating information from various sources, the bank was able to provide a consistent and efficient customer experience (Ebrahim, Battilana & Mair, 2014, Soni & T. Krishnan, 2014. Financial institutions should invest in platforms that offer robust integration capabilities, ensuring that data flows seamlessly across departments and channels. ...
Cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems have emerged as transformative tools for enhancing customer engagement in the financial sector. By integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, these systems enable financial institutions to optimize customer interactions, improve operational efficiency, and deliver personalized services at scale. The shift to cloud-based CRM platforms offers unparalleled advantages, including cost-effectiveness, scalability, real-time analytics, and seamless integration with existing financial technologies. AI capabilities, such as natural language processing (NLP), predictive analytics, and machine learning algorithms, empower financial firms to gain deep insights into customer behavior, anticipate needs, and provide proactive solutions. Key applications of AI-driven cloud CRM systems in the financial sector include fraud detection, credit risk assessment, customer segmentation, and personalized marketing. These technologies streamline workflows, enhance customer satisfaction, and enable banks, credit unions, and financial service providers to remain competitive in an increasingly digitalized economy. Additionally, cloud-based CRM systems facilitate omnichannel customer engagement by integrating data from multiple touchpoints, such as mobile applications, social media, and in-person interactions, providing a unified and consistent customer experience. Despite these advancements, challenges persist in implementing cloud-based CRM systems in the financial sector. Concerns over data privacy, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and the high cost of initial setup require careful consideration. Furthermore, financial institutions must invest in employee training and robust IT infrastructure to fully leverage the potential of these technologies. This paper explores the transformative impact of AI-powered cloud CRM systems on the financial sector, analyzing key trends, benefits, and challenges. It also examines case studies of successful implementations, offering insights into best practices and strategies for optimizing customer engagement through technology. By harnessing the synergy between cloud computing and AI, financial institutions can revolutionize customer relationships, build trust, and drive sustainable growth in a competitive marketplace.
... Unlike conventional organizations, the governance of hybrid organizations is more challenging. Therefore, scholars have investigated the governance challenges with respect to mission drift and accountability in hybrid organizations (see (Ebrahim et al. 2014). Scholars further examined the governance challenges with respect to hybridization in hybrid organizations, mainly nonprofit organizations (see (Smith 2010). ...
This paper intends to explore the debate on hybrid organizations in business studies as business scholars have been increasingly focusing on hybrid organizations in recent times. This study extracted a sample of 370 papers from the Scopus database and performed bibliometric analysis, including descriptive and thematic analyses. The R and Bibliometrix packages are used to perform bibliometric analysis. The descriptive analysis results present the growing interest of business scholars in hybrid organizations research, especially more recently. The thematic analysis results identify eight major topics in the corpus, including hybrid organizations, hybrids, governance, sustainability, social mission, tensions, assembly chain, and hybridity. The future research agenda could be useful for academics to address the gaps highlighted to provide solutions for the efficiency of hybrid organizations.
... The implementation of a scalable and impactful model for harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity to revolutionize workforce development and empower marginalized youth requires strategic collaboration across multiple sectors. The success of such an initiative hinges on partnerships with policymakers, educational institutions, and industry leaders, as well as a robust community-driven engagement process that ensures marginalized youth are both recruited and supported throughout their educational journey (Ebrahim, Battilana & Mair, 2014, Soni & T. Krishnan, 2014) [32] . Additionally, leveraging funding from both the public and private sectors will be essential to scale the program, ensuring that it can reach a broad audience and have a lasting impact. ...
The intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity offers transformative potential to address workforce development challenges, particularly for marginalized youth. This paper proposes a scalable and impactful model leveraging AI and cybersecurity to revolutionize workforce development. The model focuses on equipping marginalized youth with in-demand skills in AI, cybersecurity, and related technologies to bridge the digital divide and foster economic inclusion. By combining AI-driven personalized learning pathways with hands-on cybersecurity training, the model empowers participants with technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and industry certifications, enabling them to compete in a rapidly evolving job market. Key components of the model include AI-powered skill assessment tools, adaptive training platforms, and cybersecurity simulation environments designed to mirror real-world scenarios. These tools identify individual learning needs, recommend tailored educational pathways, and provide immersive, practical experiences. The model also incorporates mentorship programs, industry collaborations, and internship opportunities to enhance employability and foster professional growth. By integrating AI technologies, such as natural language processing and machine learning, the program ensures continuous improvement, scalability, and accessibility, even in resource-constrained environments. This study highlights case studies of successful implementation in underserved communities, showcasing measurable impacts such as increased employment rates, reduced skill gaps, and improved cybersecurity awareness. The proposed model emphasizes inclusivity, targeting marginalized youth in rural and urban areas, and provides scalable solutions to address systemic inequities in workforce development. Challenges such as ensuring data privacy, addressing biases in AI algorithms, and maintaining affordability are critically examined, along with strategies for mitigation. The paper concludes with a call for cross-sector collaboration between policymakers, industry leaders, and educational institutions to support the widespread adoption of this model. By leveraging AI and cybersecurity innovations, this approach can serve as a catalyst for empowering marginalized youth, driving economic development, and creating a resilient and inclusive workforce.
... Policies that promote financial inclusion, such as reduced lending requirements for SMEs and access to governmentbacked credit facilities, can ease the financial burdens faced by small businesses. Regulatory bodies should also work towards simplifying compliance requirements, reducing the cost of business registration, and offering legal support to SMEs navigating complex regulations (Ebrahim, Battilana & Mair, 2014, Soni & T. Krishnan, 2014. In addition, trade policies that encourage local sourcing of raw materials and reduce dependency on imports can help stabilize SME operations amid global economic fluctuations. ...
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria play a critical role in economic growth, employment generation, and poverty alleviation. However, these businesses are highly vulnerable to economic disruptions such as currency devaluation, inflation, policy instability, and global shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic. This study proposes a framework for developing resilient business models that enhance the adaptability and sustainability of Nigerian SMEs in the face of economic uncertainties. The framework integrates strategic agility, digital transformation, financial literacy, and risk management to mitigate vulnerabilities and foster long-term growth. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative case studies and quantitative surveys to assess the resilience levels of SMEs across various sectors. The findings indicate that most Nigerian SMEs lack structured risk mitigation strategies, relying instead on reactive measures that often lead to business failure. To address these challenges, this study develops a resilience framework incorporating proactive financial planning, adaptive business strategies, and digital integration. The framework emphasizes the role of digital transformation, including e-commerce adoption, cloud computing, and data analytics, in enhancing operational efficiency and market reach. Furthermore, financial literacy and risk management training are proposed as essential components to help SMEs navigate economic disruptions effectively. The proposed framework also highlights the importance of government policies and private sector support in fostering a resilient SME ecosystem. Recommendations include targeted financial interventions, regulatory reforms, and capacity-building programs to improve SME competitiveness. By leveraging a structured resilience framework, Nigerian SMEs can transition from reactive survival strategies to proactive business continuity planning. The study contributes to the existing literature by providing a contextualized model for enhancing SME resilience in developing economies. Future research should explore sector-specific resilience strategies and the role of artificial intelligence in SME risk management.
... This further complicates the classification of these entities within the more traditional categories of public, private, and nonprofit sectors (Doherty et al., 2014). Above all, it creates complex tensions and trade-offs in the management, influencing their strategic choices and requiring caution to maintain focus and prevent mission drift (Ebrahim et al., 2014;Pache & Santos, 2010), while balancing their social mission with commercial values (quality, profitability, etc.) to ensure good performance (Bacq et al., 2016;Moss et al., 2011;Rawhouser et al., 2019;Smith et al., 2013). ...
Purpose
This paper aims to understand how social enterprises working in the food waste sector in the Netherlands make sense of discourses around social impact measurement and explicate what they actually practice in this domain. Building on the literature on impact measurement and differentiating between outcome and output level outcome measurement, the authors want to understand, albeit current marketization and rationalization discourses surrounding social entrepreneurs, why there is a palpable reluctancy to measure social impact at the outcome level in this specific sector.
Design/methodology/approach
In this qualitative study, 18 semi-structured interviews were carried out with the founders and employees of the social enterprises that were operating in food waste sector. The authors use phenomenological constructivist approach.
Findings
The results indicated that in the Netherlands, social enterprises that combat with food waste did not measure their social impacts at the outcome level, and almost all of them resorted to arguments that delegitimized impact measurement, as theorized by Molecke and Pinkse (2017) on the outcome level. However, the findings also show that these enterprises did measure their social impact at the output level. Following Ebrahim (2014), The authors think that the nature of the sector in the Netherlands has too provided an impetus for social entrepreneurs to measure impact only at the output level, since in this sector the causal link between output and outcomes was clearly established through evidence, making outcome-level measurement irrelevant for the enterprises in question.
Originality/value
Sector-specific empirical analysis of social entrepreneurship is rather scarce. By using various theoretical approaches, the authors show internal dynamics of this sector, as they relate to social impact measurement at the output and outcome levels.
The study investigates the ‘direct and integrated’ democratic employee-owned (for-profit) business (DEOB) model of Gripple Limited as part of GLIDE (Growth Led Innovation Driven Employee Company Limited), a non-profit industrial foundation. It draws on a programme of in-depth employee-owner interviews on the ability of institutional arrangements (collective processes and communal-relational strategies) to mitigate mission drift (an imbalance between commercial and social logics), downside drift (moving towards oligarchy) and socioeconomic inefficiency from the degradation of property (return and control) rights. The investigation of Gripple’s unique institutional arrangements includes an internal market-maker system (skin in the game) and incentive policies (sacrifices) as part of bilateral hostage posting.
Academic spin‐offs (ASOs), a distinct form of hybrid venture, operate at the intersection of economic (business) and non‐economic (academic) logics. Although traditional literature often portrays these logics as inherently conflicting, emphasizing the trade‐offs ASOs must manage, recent empirical findings challenge this view, suggesting that integrating academic and business logics can be beneficial. This paper presents a systematic review of the ASO literature, leveraging the concept of duality to explore the dynamic interplay between academic and business logics. The duality perspective underscores the importance of considering both complementarities and oppositions between seemingly incompatible logics. By synthesizing existing empirical findings, we propose a framework that clarifies how the oppositions and complementarities between academic and business logics influence ASOs’ academic and business outcomes. Our framework highlights the need for more nuanced, dynamic and multilevel approaches in studying ASOs, offering future research directions that embrace the duality perspective. This integrative view aims to inspire further investigation into hybrid ventures, illustrating how economic and non‐economic logics can jointly foster both non‐economic and economic outcomes.
Although a stakeholder-inclusive approach to corporate governance is becoming accepted more widely, we have little idea on how it can be achieved in practice or understood theoretically. B Lab Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand requires certified B Corporations (B Corps) to include in their corporate constitution formal commitments to pursuing a pro-social purpose and taking their stakeholders’ interests into account. Through interviews with 20 B Corp leaders, we explore how this model of stakeholder governance is implemented. We find that an organization-specific corporate purpose helps leaders to attract, select, and retain supportive stakeholders and minimize stakeholder conflicts. We identify three decision-making processes (Establishing, Applying, Developing) and three signaling processes (Announcing, Demonstrating, Sharing) through which stakeholder governance is achieved. Our findings extend emerging theories of stakeholder governance by moving away from a focus on conflict resolution to demonstrate its potential to foster collaborative systemic change. B Corps display a helpful model for purpose-led stakeholder governance with the potential to be applied more widely.
Purpose
This paper aims to explore and analyze effective methods for measuring the impact of social ventures. By examining existing frameworks such as Social Return on Investment (SROI) and Impact Reporting and Investment Standards (IRIS) and through qualitative case studies of Turkish social ventures, the study aims to identify the limitations and adaptability of these methodologies. The goal is to provide actionable recommendations for social entrepreneurs, policymakers, and stakeholders to enhance the accuracy and relevance of impact assessments, thereby contributing to the sustainability and effectiveness of social ventures.
Design/methodology/approach
This research employs a qualitative methodology, focusing on in-depth case studies of Turkish social ventures, specifically Kizlar Sahada and Microfon.co. Data collection involves a combination of direct interviews with social entrepreneurs, analysis of organizational reports, and review of relevant literature. The study examines existing impact assessment frameworks, such as Social Return on Investment (SROI) and Impact Reporting and Investment Standards (IRIS), assessing their applicability and limitations within the Turkish context. The research aims to identify context-specific challenges and innovative practices by analysing these case studies, offering insights into more effective and tailored impact assessment methodologies for social ventures.
Findings
The study reveals that while global impact assessment frameworks like Social Return on Investment (SROI) and Impact Reporting and Investment Standards (IRIS) are helpful, they often require adaptation to fit Turkey’s unique socioeconomic conditions. Key findings highlight the need for context-specific, resource-efficient, and participatory impact assessment tools. Case studies of Kizlar Sahada and Microfon.co illustrate innovative practices in Turkey, such as integrating local cultural factors and leveraging technology for data collection. These insights underscore the importance of developing tailored methodologies that accurately capture social ventures' diverse impacts on varied regional contexts.
Research limitations/implications
The research is limited by its focus on a few case studies, which may not fully represent the diversity of social ventures across Turkey. Additionally, the reliance on qualitative data may introduce subjective biases. The dynamic nature of social issues and the evolving socioeconomic landscape in Turkey further complicate the development of standardized assessment tools. Despite these limitations, the study offers valuable insights into context-specific challenges and innovative practices, highlighting the need for adaptable and responsive impact assessment methodologies. Future research should expand the scope of case studies and explore quantitative approaches to complement the qualitative findings.
Practical implications
This study provides practical recommendations for social entrepreneurs, policymakers, and stakeholders to improve impact assessment practices in Turkey. It offers strategies to tailor global frameworks like SROI and IRIS to local conditions by emphasizing the need for context-specific, resource-efficient, and participatory tools. Social ventures can adopt these insights to enhance the accuracy and relevance of their impact assessments, ultimately improving their effectiveness and sustainability. Policymakers can use these findings to create supportive environments and policies that foster social entrepreneurship. At the same time, investors can better evaluate the social return on their investments by aligning their portfolios with their social objectives.
Social implications
The study underscores the importance of accurate and context-specific impact assessment in enhancing the effectiveness of social ventures in Turkey. By providing tailored methodologies, social ventures can better address local socioeconomic challenges, leading to more meaningful and sustainable social change. Improved impact assessment practices enable ventures to demonstrate their value more convincingly, attracting better stakeholder support from investors, policymakers, and the community. This can lead to increased funding, better policy support, and more robust community engagement, ultimately fostering a more vibrant and impactful social entrepreneurship ecosystem that drives positive societal transformation.
Originality/value
This paper offers original insights into the challenges and opportunities of measuring the impact of social ventures in Turkey, a context that has received limited attention in the existing literature. By analyzing case studies of Kizlar Sahada and Microfon.co, the research highlights innovative, context-specific practices that can be adapted to other regions with similar socioeconomic dynamics. The studys value lies in its practical recommendations for developing resource-efficient and participatory impact assessment tools that address the unique needs of social ventures. These findings contribute to the broader discourse on social impact assessment and offer valuable guidance for social entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors.
The tech industry's rapid evolution has highlighted the critical need for digital literacy and cybersecurity awareness, particularly among underrepresented groups. These groups often face systemic barriers, such as limited access to resources, educational inequities, and biases, which hinder their ability to navigate the increasingly digital workplace securely and effectively. This study proposes a framework for building digital literacy and fostering cybersecurity awareness to empower individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, enabling them to thrive in the tech sector. The framework emphasizes three core areas: foundational digital literacy, cybersecurity education, and ongoing mentorship and community support. Foundational digital literacy focuses on equipping participants with essential technical skills, including computer proficiency, internet navigation, and understanding digital tools. Cybersecurity education introduces best practices for online safety, threat detection, data protection, and adherence to industry standards such as GDPR and NIST. Mentorship and community support foster a collaborative learning environment, encouraging participants to build confidence and address unique challenges through peer networks and guidance from industry professionals. Leveraging partnerships with tech companies, educational institutions, and community organizations, this framework integrates accessible training programs, free resources, and hands-on workshops to bridge the digital divide. These initiatives are tailored to meet the diverse needs of underrepresented groups, ensuring inclusivity and cultural relevance. Preliminary pilot studies have shown that participants gained confidence in using digital tools, improved their cybersecurity knowledge, and demonstrated increased interest in pursuing tech-related careers. The study also highlights the broader impact of empowering underrepresented groups, including enhanced diversity, innovation, and equity within the tech industry. This research contributes to the fields of digital inclusion and cybersecurity by providing a replicable and scalable approach to addressing systemic inequities. By equipping underrepresented groups with the tools and knowledge to excel in the digital age, this framework aligns with the broader goals of fostering workforce diversity and creating a more secure and inclusive tech ecosystem.
In today's dynamic business environment, real-time data analytics has emerged as a transformative tool for enhancing supply chain efficiency. Traditional supply chain models often suffer from inefficiencies due to delays in data collection, analysis, and decision-making. Real-time data analytics leverages big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) to enable continuous monitoring, predictive insights, and agile decision-making. This paper explores the role of real-time data analytics in optimizing supply chain operations by improving demand forecasting, inventory management, transportation logistics, and risk mitigation. The integration of AI-driven predictive analytics enhances demand forecasting accuracy, allowing firms to optimize stock levels and reduce the risk of stockouts or overstocking. IoT-enabled sensors and RFID technology provide real-time tracking of goods, ensuring visibility across the entire supply chain. This real-time visibility minimizes disruptions, enhances supplier coordination, and improves customer satisfaction. Additionally, real-time analytics in transportation logistics enables dynamic route optimization, reducing delivery times and fuel consumption while enhancing overall efficiency. Machine learning algorithms play a crucial role in anomaly detection, identifying potential disruptions such as supplier delays, equipment failures, or demand fluctuations. By leveraging real-time analytics, organizations can implement proactive strategies, reducing the impact of uncertainties and improving resilience against supply chain disruptions. Furthermore, blockchain technology enhances data security and transparency, fostering trust among supply chain stakeholders. Despite its numerous advantages, the adoption of real-time data analytics in supply chains presents challenges, including data integration complexities, high implementation costs, and cybersecurity risks. Organizations must develop robust data governance frameworks and invest in scalable analytics platforms to maximize the benefits of real-time insights. This paper concludes that real-time data analytics significantly enhances supply chain efficiency by enabling data-driven decision-making, improving responsiveness, and optimizing resource utilization. Future research should focus on the integration of advanced AI models, edge computing, and blockchain technology to further enhance supply chain visibility, resilience, and sustainability.
Social innovation is a complex and context-driven process shaped by stakeholders’
priorities, expectations and engagement. We explore how social entrepreneurs’
motives (relational and moral) through value co-creation drive social innovation. We
relied on 309 CEOs’ data from Africa (Ghana) and Asia (China and Pakistan). Overall,
the results showed that relational and moral motives positively impact value co-creation and social innovation, with value co-creation partially mediating these relationships. Nonetheless, value co-creation insignificantly mediates relational motives – social innovation nexus in the Asian countries surveyed. Ultimately, CEOs’ relational and moral motives enhance value co-creation and stimulate social innovation through shared resources and perspectives.
Numerous barriers interfere with achieving effective outcomes of climate adaptation and mitigation governance. In the United States, the politicization of climate change and the long‐standing susceptibility of long‐term projects to politicians' short‐term budgetary incentives both heighten the difficulties for effective climate change governance. U.S. quasi‐governmental organizations (QGOs) were traditionally created to address several of these barriers in non‐climate change domains. The properties of QGOs that allow these organizations to address governance barriers may also allow them to cope with shocks more easily than traditional government agencies. Green banks are an emerging and growing form of dedicated climate change governance in the United States. We use the organizational ambidexterity (OA) framework to evaluate the case of the quasi‐governmental Connecticut Green Bank (CGB)'s adaptation to a 2017 state‐instigated budget shock. The OA framework is useful for this case study given its emphasis on managerial response to organizational survival threats. We find that the CGB adapted financially to the shock, as a result of mission and financial drift away from Connecticut state control and policy. The CGB's adaptation to the shock hinged on its quasi‐governmental status—which allowed it to create a nonprofit organization, Inclusive Prosperity Capital (IPC), and pursue activities to render both entities financially and operationally self‐sufficient. We characterize the CGB's adaptive response as hybrid , structural ‐ cyclical , ambidexterity . Our study provides the first empirical description of ambidexterity in the quasi‐governmental space and builds evidence for the utility of applying hybrid ambidexterity theory in the climate change domain. The analysis carries implications for a wide array of public and private organizations that must adapt to survival threats by balancing activities that affect short‐ and long‐term viability within the context of their mission orientation.
近年来，社会企业在中国的研究和实践蓬勃发展，各种观点和视角层出不穷。这为社会企业的发展注入了源源不断的活力，同时也产生了更多的疑问和困惑。在此背景下，由中国人民大学出版社历时8年出版的《社会企业家精神》系列案例集，试图回答关于社会企业这一新兴组织领域的三个基本问题：什么是社会企业？社会企业和商业企业的本质区别是什么？社会企业的独特挑战和管理策略是什么？
为此，第一辑《社会企业家精神》界定了中国社会企业的内涵和类型。第二辑讨论了区分社会企业和商业企业的社会使命稳健性问题。第三辑阐述了社会企业混合目标的优势、挑战及其管理策略。
以下文章囊括了《社会企业家精神》丛书中对上述三个基本问题的回应。这篇三问三答希望为社会各界推动中国社会企业发展提供一个相对严谨的、具有学术研究和实践经验支撑的对话基础和行动基础。
中国社会企业界正处在快速发展阶段的早期，集体身份、公众意识、资金和知识供给、政策支持、行业聚合、创业密度等各种推动行业发展的关键力量正在显著增长。在这一背景下，通过三问三答的形式梳理和讨论社会企业的基本问题，可能有助于推动业界展开持续的和有意义的对话；帮助业内人士理解彼此的边界和交集、采取行动解决共同面对的挑战；促进公众和社会各部门对社会企业的认识；进一步落实2017年业界共同提出的《中国社会企业发展北京倡议》。对《北京倡议》相关介绍请见文章结尾附录。
In today's dynamic business environment, real-time data analytics has emerged as a transformative tool for enhancing supply chain efficiency. Traditional supply chain models often suffer from inefficiencies due to delays in data collection, analysis, and decision-making. Real-time data analytics leverages big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) to enable continuous monitoring, predictive insights, and agile decision-making. This paper explores the role of real-time data analytics in optimizing supply chain operations by improving demand forecasting, inventory management, transportation logistics, and risk mitigation. The integration of AI-driven predictive analytics enhances demand forecasting accuracy, allowing firms to optimize stock levels and reduce the risk of stockouts or overstocking. IoT-enabled sensors and RFID technology provide real-time tracking of goods, ensuring visibility across the entire supply chain. This real-time visibility minimizes disruptions, enhances supplier coordination, and improves customer satisfaction. Additionally, real-time analytics in transportation logistics enables dynamic route optimization, reducing delivery times and fuel consumption while enhancing overall efficiency. Machine learning algorithms play a crucial role in anomaly detection, identifying potential disruptions such as supplier delays, equipment failures, or demand fluctuations. By leveraging real-time analytics, organizations can implement proactive strategies, reducing the impact of uncertainties and improving resilience against supply chain disruptions. Furthermore, blockchain technology enhances data security and transparency, fostering trust among supply chain stakeholders. Despite its numerous advantages, the adoption of real-time data analytics in supply chains presents challenges, including data integration complexities, high implementation costs, and cybersecurity risks. Organizations must develop robust data governance frameworks and invest in scalable analytics platforms to maximize the benefits of real-time insights. This paper concludes that real-time data analytics significantly enhances supply chain efficiency by enabling data-driven decision-making, improving responsiveness, and optimizing resource utilization. Future research should focus on the integration of advanced AI models, edge computing, and blockchain technology to further enhance supply chain visibility, resilience, and sustainability.
This chapter focuses on benefit corporations (BCs) to investigate how the dual purpose incorporated in their company bylaws shapes business modelling towards sustainability. The analysis involves a qualitative approach based on a case study: Way2Global, an Italian SME. The case was selected because it represents a “best practice” boasting several sustainability awards and documenting outstanding social and environmental performance. Data were obtained from document analysis and interviews. Findings show how it is possible to pursue economic goals and, at the same time, regenerate human, social, and environmental capital. This study contributes to existing scant literature about sustainable business models and, more precisely, on business models design for BCs. Furthermore, it has practical implications, since it offers insights that might inspire managers and entrepreneurs of other SMEs.
I denna rapport utforskas vad vi kan lära om social innovation från Europeiska socialfondens program och projekt inom detta område. I ESF definieras social innovation som "utveckling och genomförande av nya idéer (när det gäller produkter, tjänster, metoder och modeller), och som samtidigt tillgodoser sociala behov och skapar nya sociala relationer eller samarbeten". I ESF:s nuvarande programperiod, 2021–2027, förväntas alla EU-länder stötta social innovation i sina nationella ESF-program. I det svenska ESF-programmet har ett särskilt programområde inrättats för social innovation (PO E), som finansierar projekt som utvecklar nytänkande lösningar som kan möta aktuella utmaningar inom social inkludering, arbetsmarknad och utbildning. I denna rapport sammanförs erfarenheterna från tjänstepersoner vid ESF-rådet, företrädare för PO E-finansierade projekt och andra involverade aktörer.
Global supply chains often distribute value inequitably among the Global North and South. This perpetuates poverty and contributes to indecent work in raw material‐producing countries, thus creating challenges to sustainable development. For decades, corporate social responsibility, social entrepreneurship, and sustainable business model innovations have aimed to distribute value more equitably across global value chains, for instance via fair trade, alternative trade, and direct trade. This article examines a novel and hitherto understudied innovation for equitable value distribution in global supply chains: “value chain profit sharing.” We draw on interview and archival data from two cases of social entrepreneurs working in the coffee sector to develop a generalized model. One of the model's key features is that the entrepreneur pays suppliers in multiple installments that reflect market conditions (as opposed to a single lump sum based on prediction). We show how this can increase value creation, appropriation, and equitable distribution. Although our research suggests that this model may be highly contingent on leaders' skills, resources, sense of place, and accountability to suppliers, we find no evidence that its applications are limited to specific countries or sectors. Our research further extends extant theory by showing how “value chain profit sharing” may relieve some of the tensions often associated with sustainable business models, including distributing value to suppliers while maintaining financial solvency; creating value while pursuing a social mission; providing benefits to suppliers without curtailing their market opportunities; responding to market conditions while maintaining commitments to suppliers; and scaling without diluting benefits. It thereby contributes to the literatures on sustainable business model innovations, equitable value distribution in global supply chains, novel application of revenue‐sharing contracts, and innovative methods of profit sharing. It furthermore provides actionable guidance for social entrepreneurs, corporate social responsibility practitioners, and supplier cooperatives aiming to achieve more equitable value distribution and sustainable supply chains.
Quando si parla di empowerment si fa riferimento all’idea di conferire potere a qualcuno, qualcuno che di tale potere è sprovvisto. Di chi stiamo parlando? A quale potere facciamo riferimento? Come, e soprattutto, perché dovremmo conferire tale potere? In questo lavoro affrontiamo la sfida di dare potere, e in questo senso abilitare, tutti coloro che tipicamente sono esclusi dalla partecipazione al mercato, e che risultano emarginati e disabilitati. Dare il potere di partecipare alle dinamiche di mercato per abilitare processi di sviluppo della persona: sfida che concettualizzeremo come “l’empowerment degli emarginati”. Da dove partiremo? Chi sarà il nostro interlocutore principale? Per quale fine? Elemento chiave della nostra impostazione è la centralità della persona. Partiremo dalla persona per comprendere i diversi processi di sviluppo abilitati da particolari forme ibride di impresa, denominate Social Business Hybrids, tramite specifici meccanismi economici e all’interno di particolari spazi sociali.
The increasing prevalence of cyber threats in the digital age underscores the urgent need for innovative and data-driven approaches to cybersecurity. This study proposes a high-impact decision-making model designed to integrate cutting-edge cybersecurity strategies into public policy, governance, and organizational frameworks. The model emphasizes leveraging big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced analytics to inform policy design, risk assessment, and strategic planning in diverse institutional contexts. Key components of the model include real-time data aggregation, predictive analytics, and machine learning algorithms to identify and mitigate cyber risks proactively. By incorporating advanced threat intelligence and risk quantification, the model enables stakeholders to prioritize vulnerabilities, allocate resources effectively, and enhance resilience against evolving cyber threats. The framework also integrates multi-stakeholder collaboration, ensuring alignment between public and private sector efforts in addressing cybersecurity challenges. This model is adaptable across various governance levels and organizational structures, providing actionable insights to policymakers, regulators, and organizational leaders. It aligns with global cybersecurity standards and emphasizes compliance with frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, GDPR, and ISO/IEC 27001. The research highlights the importance of embedding cybersecurity into governance processes and organizational strategies to foster a culture of security and accountability. Pilot studies demonstrate the model's applicability in enhancing decision-making processes, reducing response times, and improving risk mitigation outcomes. Case studies from public and private sectors reveal the model's capacity to drive more informed and adaptive policy frameworks while promoting operational efficiency and trust among stakeholders. This study contributes to the evolving field of cybersecurity by providing a scalable and replicable approach for integrating data-driven strategies into policy and governance. By bridging the gap between technological innovation and institutional readiness, the proposed model equips policymakers and organizations to navigate complex cyber landscapes effectively, ensuring the protection of critical infrastructure, data, and digital assets.
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the impact of political influence on the connection between internal governance mechanisms and the sustainability of social enterprises in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 85 social companies from Malaysia were included in the survey. The hypotheses were examined using the bootstrapping approach and structural equation modeling using the partial least squares method.
Findings
The results of this study indicate that both internal governance structures and political influence significantly impacted the long-term sustainability of social enterprises. The study’s findings indicate that political influence substantially impacts how internal governance mechanisms affect the sustainability of social enterprises. Nevertheless, it is critical to acknowledge that the correlation between internal governance procedures and sustainability is deemed weak.
Research limitations/implications
This study aims to address and strengthen the boundaries of social entrepreneurship literature by using the resource-based view (RBV) and the resource dependence theory (RDT) theories. RBV and RDT align with the theoretical concept of social entrepreneurship and demonstrate the interplay between agility and a taxonomy of elements that promote sustainability adoption.
Practical implications
This study investigates the correlation between political influence, internal governance mechanisms and sustainability to enhance comprehension of the dynamic corporate landscape. The objective is to ensure that the internal governance mechanism of social enterprises is in line with long-term sustainability objectives, even in the context of potential political changes.
Social implications
This study offers valuable knowledge for policymakers aiming to enhance the governance and accountability of social enterprises. The success of such businesses hinges on their capacity to regulate both financial sustainability and their social objective proficiently. Social enterprises can achieve a mutually beneficial model by effectively balancing these two objectives, benefiting their business and the communities they intend to serve.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous research has been conducted to examine how political influence affects the relationship between internal governance mechanisms and the sustainability of social enterprises in Malaysia. The results of this study could enhance social enterprises’ ability to achieve long-term sustainability.
The intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity offers transformative potential to address workforce development challenges, particularly for marginalized youth. This paper proposes a scalable and impactful model leveraging AI and cybersecurity to revolutionize workforce development. The model focuses on equipping marginalized youth with in-demand skills in AI, cybersecurity, and related technologies to bridge the digital divide and foster economic inclusion. By combining AI-driven personalized learning pathways with hands-on cybersecurity training, the model empowers participants with technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and industry certifications, enabling them to compete in a rapidly evolving job market. Key components of the model include AI-powered skill assessment tools, adaptive training platforms, and cybersecurity simulation environments designed to mirror real-world scenarios. These tools identify individual learning needs, recommend tailored educational pathways, and provide immersive, practical experiences. The model also incorporates mentorship programs, industry collaborations, and internship opportunities to enhance employability and foster professional growth. By integrating AI technologies, such as natural language processing and machine learning, the program ensures continuous improvement, scalability, and accessibility, even in resource-constrained environments. This study highlights case studies of successful implementation in underserved communities, showcasing measurable impacts such as increased employment rates, reduced skill gaps, and improved cybersecurity awareness. The proposed model emphasizes inclusivity, targeting marginalized youth in rural and urban areas, and provides scalable solutions to address systemic inequities in workforce development. Challenges such as ensuring data privacy, addressing biases in AI algorithms, and maintaining affordability are critically examined, along with strategies for mitigation. The paper concludes with a call for cross-sector collaboration between policymakers, industry leaders, and educational institutions to support the widespread adoption of this model. By leveraging AI and cybersecurity innovations, this approach can serve as a catalyst for empowering marginalized youth, driving economic development, and creating a resilient and inclusive workforce.
The increasing prevalence of cyber threats in the digital age underscores the urgent need for innovative and data-driven approaches to cybersecurity. This study proposes a high-impact decision-making model designed to integrate cutting-edge cybersecurity strategies into public policy, governance, and organizational frameworks. The model emphasizes leveraging big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced analytics to inform policy design, risk assessment, and strategic planning in diverse institutional contexts. Key components of the model include real-time data aggregation, predictive analytics, and machine learning algorithms to identify and mitigate cyber risks proactively. By incorporating advanced threat intelligence and risk quantification, the model enables stakeholders to prioritize vulnerabilities, allocate resources effectively, and enhance resilience against evolving cyber threats. The framework also integrates multi-stakeholder collaboration, ensuring alignment between public and private sector efforts in addressing cybersecurity challenges. This model is adaptable across various governance levels and organizational structures, providing actionable insights to policymakers, regulators, and organizational leaders. It aligns with global cybersecurity standards and emphasizes compliance with frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, GDPR, and ISO/IEC 27001. The research highlights the importance of embedding cybersecurity into governance processes and organizational strategies to foster a culture of security and accountability. Pilot studies demonstrate the model's applicability in enhancing decision-making processes, reducing response times, and improving risk mitigation outcomes. Case studies from public and private sectors reveal the model’s capacity to drive more informed and adaptive policy frameworks while promoting operational efficiency and trust among stakeholders. This study contributes to the evolving field of cybersecurity by providing a scalable and replicable approach for integrating data-driven strategies into policy and governance. By bridging the gap between technological innovation and institutional readiness, the proposed model equips policymakers and organizations to navigate complex cyber landscapes effectively, ensuring the protection of critical infrastructure, data, and digital assets.
Coordinated by: Nikolay A. Dentchev ii Social Entrepreneurship and Vulnerable Groups ERMIScom project "Common curricula for diversity: education in media and integration of vulnerable groups", has been financed within the framework of Erasmus+ program (KA2-Strategic Partnerships for Higher Education, Nr 2020-1-EL01-KA203-078981). The Project has developed open online educational material (seven digital books) for a master's degree program regarding media and integration of vulnerable groups, in English language.
This article explores the impact of Covid‐19 on nonprofit resilience, utilizing the UK social enterprise ecosystem as the area of focus. The article engages the theoretical concepts of organizational resilience and community engagement; specifically, how these are impacted by exogenous shocks that change ecosystem dynamics. The article focuses in particular on financial resilience within the context of social enterprises in the United Kingdom both before and during the Covid‐19 pandemic, explored through a grant funding program delivered between 2021 and 2023. The research utilizes quantitative financial and organizational data gathered from 1507 social enterprise applicants to this grant fund, based upon the period 2019–2022. This is supplemented by qualitative data in the form of interviews and focus groups held with social entrepreneurs ( N = 17) and key ecosystem support stakeholders ( N = 16), as well as researcher observations of discussions of social enterprise applications from the grant fund panel meetings. The research demonstrates how Covid‐19 impacted organizations' resilience over time, illustrating financial and social resilience among the social enterprise sample engaged during the period 2019–2022. The paper posits that this financial and social resilience is grounded within social enterprises' focus on their communities and their hybrid missions. The findings are useful to policy‐makers and practitioners looking to understand and support third‐sector resilience in the post‐pandemic world.
In this Element, emerging legal forms of purpose-driven corporations are analyzed, revealing two important insights. First, within the traditional corporate law, a purpose is neither protected nor enforceable over time. While companies can have goals beyond profit, these are controlled by shareholders, who also appoint corporate managers. To protect social or environmental ambitions, especially during shareholder changes, a legal commitment from the company is essential. Second, these new legal forms highlight the need to redefine the corporation's legal foundations. In an era when management decisions impact entire populations and the planet, the law inadequately conceptualizes the conditions necessary for responsible management. The Element argues that embedding a purpose in the constitution of corporations can provide these new legal foundations. Ultimately, the Element suggests that purpose provides a unified theoretical framework for understanding the variety of corporate legal forms and for discussing their respective potentials and limitations in holding corporations accountable in the face of upcoming transitions.
Entrepreneurship has been the engine propelling much of the growth of the business sector as well as a driving force behind the rapid expansion of the social sector. This article offers a comparative analysis of commercial and social entrepreneurship using a prevailing analytical model from commercial entrepreneurship. The analysis highlights key similarities and differences between these two forms of entrepreneurship and presents a framework on how to approach the social entrepreneurial process more systematically and effectively. We explore the implications of this analysis of social entrepreneurship for both practitioners and researchers.
The discussion of what makes nonprofits and for-profits different from one another is still relevant. Research has touched upon the role of the non-distribution constraint (Hansmann, 1980), values or preferences of leaders (Weisbrod, 1998a), funding streams (Frumkin and Galaskiewicz, 2004) and legal status (Stark, 2010). There is usually the assumption that the identities of the organizations under study are unambiguous and their forms distinct. © Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited 2012.
Organizational socialization is the process by which a new employee learns to adapt to an organizational culture. This crucial early period has been shown to have an influence on eventual job satisfaction, commitment, innovation, and cooperation, and ultimately the performance of the organization. After decades of research on organizational socialization, much is now known about this important process. However, some confusion still exists regarding what it means to be socialized. The Oxford Handbook of Organizational Socialization brings reviews of the scholarly literature together with perspectives on what is being done in organizations to integrate and support new employees. The first section introduces the principles and practice of employee socialization and provides a history of the field, and the second section focuses on outcomes and antecedents of socialization. The third section on organizational context, systems, and tactics covers an extensive number of topics, including diversity, person-organization fit, and social networks, and special contexts such as socialization into higher-level jobs, and expatriation. The fourth section reviews process, methods, and measurement. The fifth section goes ȁbeyond the organizational newcomer” to examine socialization in special contexts. The sixth section expands on practice-related issues and walks the reader through two case studies, one in an academic setting and another in a corporate setting. The final articles provide a “best practices” approach, based on the highest quality research, summarize the state of the field, and offer an agenda for future research as well as suggestions for potential research-practice partnerships.
The Robin Hood Foundation is a charitable organization focused on alleviating poverty in New York City. One of the book's authors is the foundation's senior vice president. In that role he developed its metrics-based approach, called “relentless monetization,” to ensure that the money the foundation receives and grants is used most effectively. The other author has served as long-time consultant to Robin Hood on matters of metrics. This book shows how to implement the Robin Hood approach and explains how any nonprofit organizations or philanthropic donor can use it to achieve the greatest benefit from every philanthropic dollar. Drawing on extensive knowledge, the text devotes specific chapters to the difficulties most frequently encountered by donors trying to measure the benefits of their initiatives. This book provides straightforward, targeted advice for funding “smart” nonprofit programs.
The purpose of this chapter is to outline the development of the idea of "stakeholder management" as it has come to be applied in strategic management. We begin by developing a brief history of the concept. We then suggest that traditionally the stakeholder approach to strategic management has several related characteristics that serve as distinguishing features. We review recent work on stakeholder theory and suggest how stakeholder management has affected the practice of management. We end by suggesting further research questions.
This article explores the role critics play in the differential legitimation of market categories. Prior research suggests that a critic's ability to establish himself as an expert of the market is based on the appeal to a rationalized and defensible system of standards for evaluating products. In this paper, I argue that this creates a fundamental bias in the allocation of critical attention. Because of their need to establish and justify their status as non-partisan experts, critics will demonstrate a tendency to favor arenas in which they have developed clear and structured schemas for evaluation. As a result, producers within such categories will receive disproportionately greater critical attention. I test and find support for this hypothesis within the context of the U.S. feature film industry. The implications of this bias in terms of producer legitimacy are discussed.
This paper integrates elements from the theory of agency, the theory of property rights and the theory of finance to develop a theory of the ownership structure of the firm. We define the concept of agency costs, show its relationship to the 'separation and control' issue, investigate the nature of the agency costs generated by the existence of debt and outside equity, demonstrate who bears the costs and why, and investigate the Pareto optimality of their existence. We also provide a new definition of the firm, and show how our analysis of the factors influencing the creation and issuance of debt and equity claims is a special case of the supply side of the completeness of markets problem.
It is the objective of this study to describe three fundamentally different mechanisms through which organizations can seek to cope with this problem of evaluation and control. The three will be referred to as markets, bureaucracies, and clans. In a fundamental sense, markets deal with the control problem through their ability to precisely measure and reward individual contributions; bureaucracies rely instead upon a mixture of close evaluation with a socialized acceptance of common objectives; and clans rely upon a relatively complete socialization process which effectively eliminates goal incongruence between individuals. This study explores the organizational manifestations of these three approaches to the problem of control.
A growing number of socially motivated entrepreneurs have been creating new kinds of organizations that combine a social mission with a business engine. Unlike typical for-profits, these "for-benefit" enterprises have social or environmental outcomes as their ultimate bottom line; and unlike typical nonprofits, they derive their income mostly from the sale of goods and services rather than from grants and donations. They defy classification as pure business or nonprofit; rather, they are a blend of the two. Many more such enterprises would exist, except that few entrepreneurs have been able to choose for-benefit as a legally recognized organizational structure. Most countries' legal and economic systems allow only for-profit or nonprofit activity; entrepreneurs must shoehorn their vision into one or the other structure. All this seems destined to change. For-benefits will become more commonplace as entrepreneurs learn to better navigate existing constraints, and as an ecosystem of support including financial markets, accounting standards, and professional services develops around them. The even bigger news is what will happen then, writes the author. With formalization of the for-benefit structure, we will see the emergence of a fourth sector of the economy, interacting with but separate from government, nonprofits, and for-profit businesses. The rise of that sector is likely to reshape the future of capitalism.
Social enterprise--the use of market-based, civil society approaches to address social issues--has been a growing phenomenon for over twenty years. Gathering essays by researchers and practitioners from around the globe, this volume examines, from a local perspective, the diverse ways in which social enterprise has emerged in different regions. Each chapter examines the conceptualization, history, legal and political frameworks, supporting institutions, and latest developments and challenges for social enterprise in a given region or country. In the final chapter, Janelle A. Kerlin presents a comparative analysis of the various models and contexts for social enterprise, showing how particular strengths in each environment lead to different enterprise initiative models.
The organizational dynamics of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have become increasingly complex as they have evolved from small local groups into sophisticated multinational organizations with global networks. Alnoor Ebrahim's study analyzes the organizational evolution of NGOs as a result of their increased profile as bilateral partners in delivering aid. Focusing on the relationships between NGOs and their international network of funders, it examines not only the tensions created by the reporting requirement of funders, but also the strategies of resistance employed by NGOs.
Private- and public-sector managers face a recurring organizational-design dilemma: the relative emphasis to place on process-versus-outcome accountability in evaluating employee performance. This chapter reviews experimental-psychological research that emphasizes the benefits of process accountability and then notes blind spots in that literature, especially the insensitivity to the relational signals that accountability manipulations convey about how evaluators view the evaluated. The chapter also examines real-world ideologically-driven debates over accountability design in which partisans tend to favor no-excuses forms of outcome accountability for those deemed untrustworthy and uncertainty-buffering forms of process accountability for the trustworthy. Finally, an integrative framework is proposed that examines how managers can balance the inevitable tradeoffs between decision-making control enhanced under process accountability and innovation fostered under outcome accountability, and sheds light on how agent empowerment can compensate for the deficiencies of both systems.
We examine the factors that influence the social performance of hybrid organizations that pursue a social mission and sustain their operations through commercial activities by studying work integration social enterprises (WISEs). We argue that both social imprinting, defined as a founding team's early emphasis on accomplishing the organization's social mission, and economic productivity are important drivers of a WISE's social performance. However, there is a paradox inherent in the social imprinting of WISEs: Although social imprinting directly enhances a WISE's social performance, social imprinting also indirectly weakens social performance by negatively affecting economic productivity. Results based on panel data of French WISEs gathered between 2003 and 2007 are congruent with our predictions. To understand how socially imprinted WISEs may mitigate this negative relationship between social imprinting and economic productivity, we also conduct a comparative analysis of case studies. We find that one effective approach is to assign responsibility for social and economic activities to distinct groups while creating "spaces of negotiation"-arenas of interaction that allow members of each group to discuss the trade-offs that they face. We conclude by highlighting the conditions under which spaces of negotiation can effectively be used to maintain a productive tension in hybrid organizations.
A new trend has emerged within the past decade: corporations that seek to turn a profit while affirmatively promoting the public interest. To accommodate this trend, six states have recently enacted legislation creating the benefit corporation, a for-profit entity that is legally obligated to promote both a "specific public benefit" of its choosing and the "general public benefit." Of all the legal and practical challenges facing successful implementation of this new legislation, perhaps the trickiest-and most important-is the need to ensure accountability to this public purpose mandate. This Note argues that the principal components of the accountability scheme adopted by benefit corporation legislation-(1) certification from an independent third party and (2) annual reports to the public-are ill-suited to the regulation of social welfare objectives. Drawing on lessons learned from the use of similar top-down regulatory mechanisms in corporate, nonprofit, and government contexts, this Note explains why the addition of bottom-up and horizontal mechanisms for "mission accountability" may help foster the capacity and internal motivation necessary for benefit corporations to achieve their public benefit obligations.
Strategic Management: A Stakeholder Approach was first published in 1984 as a part of the Pitman series in Business and Public Policy. Its publication proved to be a landmark moment in the development of stakeholder theory. Widely acknowledged as a world leader in business ethics and strategic management, R. Edward Freeman’s foundational work continues to inspire scholars and students concerned with a more practical view of how business and capitalism actually work. Business can be understood as a system of how we create value for stakeholders. This worldview connects business and capitalism with ethics once and for all. On the 25th anniversary of publication, Cambridge University Press are delighted to be able to offer a new print-on-demand edition of his work to a new generation of readers.
How do social movements promote diversity and alternative organizational forms? We address this question by analyzing how cooperative enterprise was affected by the Grange - a leading anticorporate movement in the United States during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. State-level analyses across three industries yield three findings. First, the Grange had positive effects on cooperatives and mutuals during the nineteenth-century populist struggles over corporate capitalism. Second, these effects were stronger where corporations counter-mobilized to block challengers' political efforts. Grangers pursued economic organization as an alternative to politics and in response to blocked political access. Third, the Grange continued to foster cooperatives even as populist revolts waned. It did so, however, by buffering cooperatives from problems of group heterogeneity and population change, rendering them less dependent on supportive communities and specific economic conditions. These findings advance research at the movements/organizations interface by documenting movement effects and by isolating different causal pathways through which mobilization, counter-mobilization, and political opportunity shape economic organization. The results also provide economic sociology with new evidence on how social structure moderates economic forces, and help revise institutional analyses of American capitalism by showing how cooperatives emerged as significant, rather than aberrant, elements of the U.S. economy.
This article provides a basic understanding of stakeholder thinking, arguably one of the very few theoretical frameworks generated by the corporate social responsibility (CSR) literature itself, to explore the management challenges of CSR. It considers the role of the stakeholder concept in helping managers make decisions allocating spending on discretionary social responsibility. Here, the focus is on CSR defined as discretionary spending in furtherance of an explicit measurable social objective consistent with relevant social norms and laws. This article introduces the concept of discretionary corporate social responsibility (dCSR) which involves voluntary spending on explicit social objectives consistent with societal expectations. The dCSR concept is justified as a proper and legitimate business investment based on supportive social political norms and supportive laws in most developed countries.
Although we often contrast the cool scientific temperament of modernity to the superstition, ignorance, and magical thought of premodern eras, modern culture is notable less for the degree to which ritual and myth are important than for the kinds of myths and rituals that have been substituted for the religious and nationalist orthodoxies of the past (Meyer, 1988). As Weber foresaw in The Protestant Ethic, first published in 1904, the most powerful of modern icons is “rationality,” the deliberative, instrumental orientation that Weber warned would confine humanity within “an iron cage” until “the last ton of fossilized coal is burnt” (Weber, 1958, p. 181). Impelled by economic competition, sponsored by state bureaucrats and policy elites, supported by an industry of consultants, techniques aimed at maximizing instrumental rationality— by which I mean the systematic attempt to understand and act on one’s understanding of systems of cause and effect—have proliferated (Meyer & Gupta, 1994). Today, the United States is a society in which cost-benefit analysis, performance assessment, and the pursuit of efficiency represent a cultural system that is as much taken for granted and as tightly linked to society’s most powerful institutions as was Buddhism in medieval Japan or the divine right of kings in early modern France (Meyer, Boli, & Thomas, 1987; Dobbin, 1994).
As the fastest growing segment of civil society, as well as featuring prominently in the global political arena, NGOs are under fire for being 'unaccountable'. But who do NGOs actually represent? Who should they be accountable to and how? This book provides the first comprehensive examination of the issues and politics of NGO accountability across all sectors and internationally. It offers an assessment of the key technical tools available including legal accountability, certification and donor-based accountability regimes, and questions whether these are appropriate and viable options or attempts to 'roll-back' NGOs to a more one-dimensional function as organizers of national and global charity. Input and case studies are provided from NGOs such as ActionAid, and from every part of the globe including China, Indonesia and Uganda. In the spirit of moving towards greater accountability the book looks in detail at innovations that have developed from within NGOs and offers new approaches and flexible frameworks that enable accountability to become a reality for all parties worldwide.