Social entrepreneurship is growing and is at the top of the UK government's agenda for improving the provision of welfare services to individuals and communities. This book introduces students and practitioners to the current policy context of UK social entrepreneurship and the focus on those skills practitioners need to initiate, to develop, and to run enterprises in this field. It is first text to bring together the different insights of academics and practitioners of social entrepreneurship. It shows how to identify community need, to work in partnership with the intended recipients of a service, to finance enterprises, and to manage organizations through their various developmental stages. The book provides readers with the ability to reflect on how these key skills operate in the real world by the presentation of case studies from the UK, the US, China, and India.

The second edition of this popular book has been inspired by the increasing interest around social entrepreneurship scholarship and the practice of delivering innovative solutions to social issues. Although social enterprises generally remain small, the impact of social entrepreneurs is increasing globally, as all countries are endeavouring to respond to increasingly complex social problems and demands for welfare at a time of government cut backs. Additional chapters and international case studies explore new developments, such as the rise of the social investment market, the use of design thinking and the increasing importance of social impact measurement.

The second edition of this popular book has been inspired by the increasing interest around social entrepreneurship scholarship and the practice of delivering innovative solutions to social issues. Although social enterprises generally remain small, the impact of social entrepreneurs is increasing globally, as all countries are endeavouring to respond to increasingly complex social problems and demands for welfare at a time of government cut backs. Additional chapters and international case studies explore new developments, such as the rise of the social investment market, the use of design thinking and the increasing importance of social impact measurement.