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What is Social Entrepreneurship?
Social Entrepreneurship refers to ventures that aim not only to make a profit but also to implement solutions to social, cultural, and environmental issues.
Library Resources
The library has several librarians that support specific disciplines within the umbrella of social entrepreneurship, including Environment, International Development, and Gender Studies. This guide highlights a few key resources that you can use for social entrepreneurship research.
For more in-depth information, visit the following Research Guides:
- Environment and Business
- Environment, Resources, and Sustainability
- Gender and Social Justice
- International Development
- Peace and Conflict Studies
Scopus
- ScopusAn interdisciplinary database that can be a good starting point for journal articles and conference proceedings on a variety of topics.
How to use Scopus for Social Entrepreneurship research?
Take a look at the Library's Advanced Database Searching in Scopus tutorial for information on how to use Boolean Operators and keywords to create a complex search. For help with your search strategy, contact a librarian.
Openly Available Resources
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
- UNESCO Institute for StatisticsData for the Sustainable Development Goals
UN Data Commons
- UN Data CommonsUN Data is a powerful tool for extracting insights from data available across the UN system.
UN SDG
- UN SDGUN Data Portal that includes statistics by country related to SDG progress.
Aurora SDG Search Queries
- Aurora SDG Search QueriesSearch Queries for "Mapping Research Output to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" in the Scopus database. Searches could be adaptable to other research databases.
SDG Investor Platform
- SDG Investor PlatformUse this tool to find SDG-aligned investment opportunities and business models.
ESG Navigator
- ESG NavigatorThis resource explains the difference between SASB and Sustainalytics — FTSE4Good and the Global 100 — CDP and DJSI — ISS and MSCI.
Social Enterprise Toolkit
- Social Enterprise ToolkitThe Social Enterprise Legal Structures Toolkit guides Alberta organizations and entrepreneurs interested in developing a social enterprise through the decision-making process of selecting a legal structure through an assessment, case studies, definitions, and resources. Toolkit was developed for an Alberta context, but many of the ideas apply to Ontario as well.
Books
Solving Problems That Matter (and Getting Paid for It) by ISBN: 9781514838006Publication Date: 2015-10-02"Interested in a career with social responsibility in mind? This book, complete with innovator profiles from a variety of sectors, will answer your must-know questions. "
Getting Beyond Better by ISBN: 9781633690684Publication Date: 2015-10-06"This introduction to social entrepreneurship is an excellent resource examining everything from theory to the hows. Roger Martin and Sally Osberg's discussion is good for anyone searching for a starting point to understand and hone the craft. "
The Rebellious CEO by ISBN: 1663733279Publication Date: 2023-11-28"In this audiobook, Joe Barrett talks you through Ralph Nader's list of 12 CEOs, who were not only great entrepreneurs, but were also exemplary citizens. A must-read class in balancing business and social responsibility for anyone pursuing entrepreneurship."
Social Entrepreneurs by ISBN: 9780367197728Publication Date: 2019-12-20This book uses the words and experiences of over 100 social entrepreneurs to provide a kaleidoscopic description of what it means to become a social entrepreneur. It ranges from the personal and emotional challenges they often face to the grand impact many hope to produce. It touches on the sublime but focuses on the everyday, highlighting the mistakes that have been made, the lessons learned and, especially, what advice they would give to those wanting to start a social venture.
In the Business of Change by ISBN: 1550926640Publication Date: 2018-05-29In the Business of Change chronicles how social entrepreneurs weary of waste and injustice are using business savvy to tackle challenges in their communities. Part story-telling, part lessons learned, this book is for everyone who wants to rebuild their communities and believes that business can be a powerful, positive force for change.
Campus Resources
There are many supports around Waterloo campus who can help you with Social Entrepreneurship work. Here are some suggestions:
- Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace AdvancementThe Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement is home to peace-oriented innovators, and established organizations from the regions vibrant peacebuilding field.
- GreenhouseGreenHouse is a social impact incubator for students and community members who want to create social or environmental change. They train students to develop entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial knowledge, skills, and mindsets and help them build their professional networks.
- Waterloo Institute for Social Innovation and ResilienceWISIR is a sub-center of the Waterloo Institute for Complexity and Innovation (WICI), where innovative training and real-world application of complex systems tools and theories are promoted.