Social entrepreneurship: an overview of its theoretical evolution and proposed research model

Social entrepreneurship is an emerging area of research in the entrepreneurship and related disciplines. Social entrepreneurship is seen as differing from other forms of entrepreneurship because of the higher priority given to promoting social and development economic values. A review of the literature emerging from a number of disciplines reveals that the definition of the concept of social entrepreneurship is fragmented and confusing. Current conceptualisations of social entrepreneurship fail to effectively consider the unique characteristics of social entrepreneurs and the context within which they must operate. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to advance the conceptualisation of the concept by adding some clarity to the debate.