Winter always comes: social enterprise in times of crisis
ISSN: 1750-8614
Article publication date: 3 January 2022
Issue publication date: 15 June 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to outline the importance of distinguishing between different types of societal crises and the role that plays in how social enterprises may respond to crises at hand.
Design/methodology/approach
Previous literature is used to distinguish between various types of societal crises discussed in the study. Social enterprise responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recession and the racial uprising in the USA that all erupted at the start of the 2020 decade are explored to illustrate the need for different responses to each.
Findings
The origin and manifestation of crises differ in that they may have public health, natural, economic or even intentionally man-made origins. In addition, in times of crisis, social enterprises must be prepared to innovate, adapt or at least manage the effects of one or more crises on their organizations. These innovations may be social, technology or economic innovations.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to knowledge about the role and value of social enterprise as a tool for addressing societal issues. The three types of crises explored in this paper will likely reoccur and evolve to manifest in new ways. As such, it is imperative that research on the efficacy of social enterprises during times of crisis are conducted to inform practice, policy and future research.
Practical implications
This study aims to inform and encourage institutions, particularly social enterprises, to recognize that “winter always comes.” Crises always happen in life and how organizations respond to such crises will differ based on the type of crisis at hand. This study particularly contributes to knowledge by emphasizing the need for social enterprises to think about both economic uncertainty and the role they play in addressing crises in the long-term, not just when they occur.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to explore the role and value of social enterprises as a tool for combatting major social crises such as racism, pandemics and recessions.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research won the People’s Choice Award in the Research Pitch Competition hosted by the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE). We thank all of the people that voted for this project and USASBE for partially funding it.
Citation
Weaver, R. and Blakey, C.L. (2022), "Winter always comes: social enterprise in times of crisis", Social Enterprise Journal, Vol. 18 No. 3, pp. 489-502. https://doi.org/10.1108/SEJ-11-2021-0087
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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