From fragmentation to system leverage: an analysis of the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in emerging tourism destinations

Purpose This study aims to identify and analyze the factors influencing social entrepreneurship in emerging destinations and to examine the relationships among these factors based on Isenberg's entrepreneurial ecosystem framework. Design/methodology/approach The research adopts a mixed-methods approach. First, factors were identified across six ecosystem dimensions through expert interviews. Then, the factors were refined using the fuzzy Delphi method. Finally, the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method was applied to analyze the relationships within the ecosystem structure. Findings The findings show that the institutional and social factors – government support, incentive policies, social capital, human capital, and communication – serve as the main drivers, while market, finance, innovation, and tourism infrastructure are primarily outcomes of ecosystem interactions. Practical implications The results indicate that social entrepreneurship in such contexts emerges through processes of empowerment, collective learning, and institutional governance. Social implications The role of social and institutional factors in fostering social entrepreneurship and inclusive development is highlighted. Originality/value This study provides the first systematic examination of the factors affecting social entrepreneurship in tourism and offers new insights into their interactions.