Social enterprises : what are they?

• Main Authors: Chen, Hui Si., Lim, Wei Shan., Low, Silin.
• Other Authors: Wee Beng Geok
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: DRNTU::Business::General::Moral and ethical aspects
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/44106
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The aim of this paper is to attempt to explore the meaning of Social Enterprise as it has been applied in Singapore and globally. The motivation behind this study is that the current use of the term "Social Enterprise" in Singapore is ambiguous and perceptions of various stakeholders of what a "Social Enterprise" stands for unclear. This has resulted in organizational activities being identified as "Social Enterprise" without due regard to the true meaning of the term. The methodology used for the study is firstly, to review the application of the term "Social Enterprise" in Singapore and globally. A tentative checklist is derived from the analysis of the review. Secondly, we will examine case studies of organizations who regard themselves as Social Enterprises. From this analysis, we revised the checklist of what we consider should be the key characteristics of a Social Enterprise. Lastly, a focus group meeting on this topic with 15 representatives from the management of Tote Board, Singapore pools, Social Enterprise Hub and Social Enterprise Association were field. Taking into the account of their feedbacks, a revised list of key characteristics of a Social Enterprise is developed.