This book proposes a defining framework of social enterprise that provides standards for deciding what a social enterprise is and for categorizing different types of
social enterprises. This framework draws on 144 papers in leading international journals, domestic and foreign case studies, and our observation and studies of Chinese
social enterprises. Our team analyzed the organizational features of dozens of social
enterprises recognized by major international supporting agencies, including Asoka
Foundation, the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, and the Skull Foundation. We also studied the features of 46 widely recognized social enterprises in
China. Our analysis suggests that, first, the dichotomy of social and commercial
elements fails to capture the diversity of social enterprise practices.
This book, for the first time in China, integrates a theoretical framework with
rich management cases in the discussion on social enterprise. It is targeted at various
audiences. Practitioners can learn experience and lessons from the case studies.
Scholars can use the cases in teaching, and gain inspirations for research. Policy
makers, certification agencies, professional service providers, and investors use this
book to identify and evaluate promising social enterprises.