Monica Diochon

Social enterprise and effectiveness: a process typology

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address the lack of conceptualisation within the emerging field of social enterprise, the aim is to contribute to a better understanding of process effectiveness and potential.Design/methodology/approach – The literature is drawn upon in providing a rationale for focusing on process, for selecting an appropriate organising framework, and for developing the typology and its key dimensions.Findings – In proposing two polar opposite “ideal types” – one based on traditional concepts of non‐profit organisations and one that employs entrepreneurship as a strategy for achieving social aims (such as poverty and marginalisation) – the process components (activities, people and organising) and their interrelationship are explained. The dimensions of each component that facilitate or constrain entrepreneurship are conceptualised along a continuum, whereby a predisposition toward either end of the continuum forms the basis of classification. Upon assessing each process compon...

EXPLORING THE NATURE AND IMPACT OF GESTATION-SPECIFIC HUMAN CAPITAL AMONG NASCENT ENTREPRENEURS

This article explores the nature and impact of gestation-specific human capital on successful start-up among a random sample of Canadian nascent entrepreneurs. Although much is known about the relationship between individual-level factors and the probability of becoming a nascent entrepreneur, the same cannot be said for the relationship between individual-level factors and success in starting a business. Previous studies of existing business founders indicate that general human capital (education and work experience) plays a role in opportunity identification, but at best plays a very weak role in opportunity pursuit. In light of these findings we sought to identify elements of human capital that would be specific to gestation–previous start-up experience, completion of classes or workshops in starting a business, and financial management capability (FMC). In documenting these elements, we found the majority of the sample had not taken any classes or workshops on starting a business, were novices to the start-up process, and were characterized by a wide range of financial management capability. Among those nascent entrepreneurs who succeeded in starting a business, FMC was found to be associated with sustainability. We conclude by discussing implications for researchers.

Governance, entrepreneurship and effectiveness: exploring the link

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of the Board of Directors in encouraging entrepreneurship as a strategy for goal achievement among newly formed social purpose organizations.Design/methodology/approach – In the absence of empirical work on board behaviour, a qualitative case study approach is adopted whereby multiple data collection methods – including in‐depth interviews and non‐participant observation – are drawn upon in the investigation.Findings – Organizations found to be most effective in achieving their goal(s) had a higher level of entrepreneurial intensity than less effective organizations. Three opposing themes emerged when comparing the social processes adopted by the Boards. In embracing social processes that fostered entrepreneurial behaviour. Boards assumed the role of change agent, with the leveraging of social capital being instrumental. Other social processes encouraged behaviour that was reactive and risk adverse in nature, serving to reinforce the fiduciary rol...

Explaining Nascent Entrepreneurs’ Goal Commitment: An Exploratory Study

Abstract Expectancy theory and goal setting theory serve as conceptual frameworks to examine factors associated with nascent entrepreneurs’ goal commitment, or the extent to which nascent entrepreneurs exhibit positive attitudes toward devoting substantial energy to their start-up activities. Nascent entrepreneurs’ goal commitment may be influenced by personal and environmental factors that reflect the feasibility and desirability of attaining the goal of establishing a business. Tests of the studys hypotheses use a random sample of 81 Canadian nascent entrepreneurs. In terms of the feasibility of goal attainment, nascent entrepreneurs’ selfefficacy and their perception of the availability of external private financial support relate positively to goal commitment; the perception of the availability of public financial support relates negatively to goal commitment. In terms of the desirability of goal attainment, the value that nascent entrepreneurs attribute to entrepreneurship as a career choice and the perception of normative support for entrepreneurship both relate positively to goal commitment. Implications and limitations of the findings and directions for further research are discussed.

Attributions and Success in New Venture Creation among Canadian Nascent Entrepreneurs

Abstract The research reported in this paper is part of a longitudinal study that tracked the activities and outcomes of a representative sample of Canadian nascent entrepreneurs over four years. Drawing on the attributional literature, we propose hypotheses that suggest a self-serving bias will lead to internal stable attributions in describing positive situations and external variable attributions in describing negative situations; and that those who are successful in forming a firm will be less susceptible to the self-serving bias than those whose startup efforts have been abandoned. Responses to five open-ended questions were coded and analyzed in conjunction with self-reports of success in starting and staying in business. A self-serving bias was neither associated with success nor generally evident. Rather, a quite distinctive attributional style was found among Canadian nascent entrepreneurs.

Canadian Nascent Entrepreneurs’ Start-up Efforts: Outcomes and Individual Influences on Sustainability

Abstract Of the people who attempt to start a business, how many actually bring their venture to fruition? Until now, the answer to this question has eluded researchers, because of the difficulty in identifying and contacting people in the gestation phase of business start-up. In overcoming this sampling challenge, the research upon which this article is based tracks the start-up efforts of 151 Canadian nascent entrepreneurs (individuals engaging in activities to start a business from scratch) over a two-year period. In addition to providing new insights into the dynamics of small business .births. and .deaths,. the paper explores the role individual-level factors play in sustaining efforts to start a business. While finding no significant differences in personal background factors (socio-demographic, work, and career backgrounds) within the sample, certain aspects of personal context and personal predispositions were shown to differentiate those who disengaged from the start-up process from those who persevered. Problem-solving style and goal orientation were especially significant. The implications of the findings are discussed.

Les Entrepreneurs Émergents Dont L’Entreprise Est Devenue OpéRationnelle Et Les Autres: Comparaisons Lors De La Conception Du Projet D’Entreprise

Sommaire Une étude longitudinale sur les entrepreneurs canadiens impliqués dans le démarrage d’une entreprise (entrepreneurs émergents) est menée depuis janvier 2000. Un échantillon de 119 entrepreneurs qui a été suivi pendant deux ans a été divisé en deux groupes : ceux dont l’entreprise est devenue opérationnelle en moins de deux ans et les autres. Les résultats montrent que les entrepreneurs opérationnels sont plus orientés vers l’action concrète, s’investissent plus dans leur projet et sont plus réalistes dans leurs attentes que les autres, lors de la conception de leur projet.

Social Entrepreneurship and Effectiveness in Poverty Alleviation: A Case Study of a Canadian First Nations Community

Abstract Social entrepreneurship increasingly is being viewed as a way of combating poverty and marginalization, with the pursuit of an entrepreneurial strategy being conceptually linked to effectiveness. Yet, in the absence of research investigating those relationships, particularly at the community level of analysis, there is little empirical evidence to substantiate this claim. The research reported here adopts a case study approach in studying the effectiveness of a Canadian First Nations community whose purposive action to improve its well being is considered a strategic case of social entrepreneurship. While the change agents (who are members of the community) exercised considerable entrepreneurship, their endeavors did not positively impact the broader communitys entrepreneurial capacity. In fact, the results suggest that the process has cultivated considerable dependency. A number of contributing factors are identified and discussed as are the implications.

Contextualizing a social enterprise opportunity process in an emerging market

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to a better understanding of how a social enterprise opportunity is brought to fruition in an emerging market.,This real-time longitudinal case study tracks the emergence of a micro-franchise start-up from conception to inception. Using a narrative perspective as a conceptual lens focuses attention on the relational, temporal and performative elements of the interactive process that occurs between social entrepreneur(s) and the environment(s). While interviewing provides the primary source of evidence, multiple data collection methods were utilized.,The analysis of the process elements centres on the narratives of the micro-franchise co-founders and other key informants that prompt action aimed at bringing the opportunity to fruition, showing how the social entrepreneurs bring the inside out and the outside in.,Despite challenges to the appropriateness of Western management theory within emerging markets, this study has shown that theory at a sufficiently high level of abstraction can be useful. It also demonstrates the need to study process over time and be inclusive of the range of stakeholders and contexts that influence it.,The findings indicate that social enterprise start-up is a co-creative process that evolves in unpredictable ways over time. Beyond start-up, only time and further study will determine whether social enterprise will prove to be the panacea for poverty and marginalization that governments expect.,This research gains real-time insight into social enterprise emergence. It underscores the multi-dimensional nature of context and provides evidence indicating that the relationship and influence between social entrepreneur(s) and their environment is not one way.

Understanding Opportunity in Social Entrepreneurship as Paradigm Interplay

The chapter aims to enhance our understanding of “opportunity” in the context of social entrepreneurship through a paradigm interplay juxtaposing a functionalist thematic analysis and interpretivist sensemaking. This paradigmatic contrasting identifies differences and connections in the tensions of: linearity and simplicity/dynamism and complexity; forward/backward, generalizability/situated relationality, and value-laden/value-neutral. These contrasts deepen our understanding of “opportunity” so that the theoretical and practical implications can be seen.