This accessible textbook provides a comprehensive guide to the building blocks of sustainable social enterprise, exploring how core elements contribute to either the success or failure of the social venture. It analyzes the key skills needed to synthesize effective business practices with effective social innovation and points out both what works and what does not. Taking a practical approach, it demonstrates how big ideas can be transformed into entities that produce lasting change. Key Features: Discussion questions and activities to aid student learning and debate A multi-part case study that helps students see social enterprise in practice Recommended resources sections that encourage students to explore the topic further Readable, real-life anecdotes, examples, and analogies that illustrate how social entrepreneurship initiatives operate Learning objectives and chapter summaries to guide students through key topics including product development, idea generation, social change theory, marketing, and operating structures Making the case that social entrepreneurship may be the most effective way to bring about positive changes in society, this textbook will be an essential resource for introductory courses and electives in social entrepreneurship.

This accessible textbook provides a comprehensive guide to the building blocks of sustainable social enterprise, exploring how core elements contribute to either the success or failure of the social venture. It analyzes the key skills needed to synthesize effective business practices with effective social innovation and points out both what works and what does not. Taking a practical approach, it demonstrates how big ideas can be transformed into entities that produce lasting change. Key Features: Discussion questions and activities to aid student learning and debate A multi-part case study that helps students see social enterprise in practice Recommended resources sections that encourage students to explore the topic further Readable, real-life anecdotes, examples, and analogies that illustrate how social entrepreneurship initiatives operate Learning objectives and chapter summaries to guide students through key topics including product development, idea generation, social change theory, marketing, and operating structures Making the case that social entrepreneurship may be the most effective way to bring about positive changes in society, this textbook will be an essential resource for introductory courses and electives in social entrepreneurship.