Scottish Government

Jonathan Coburn, Rick Rijsdijk EKOS Ltd

ISBN 978 0 7559 9763 3 (Web only publication)
DPPAS 10927

This document is also available in pdf format (680k)

This report is accompanied by a Research Finding and a Case Studies Report

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Executive Summary

1 About the Study
Context for the Study
Focus of the Study
Intended Purpose of the Research
Specific Objectives
Study Method
Report Structure

2 The Concept of Social Enterprise Success
Introduction
Defining Success and Failure
Understanding Critical Success Factors
Possible Social Enterprise Success Factors
Measuring Social Enterprise Success
Success Over Time and in Difficult Conditions
Encouraging Successful Ethnic Minority Social Enterprises

3 Perspectives on Social Enterprise Success
Introduction
Defining Social Enterprise
Defining Success
Understanding Success
Measuring Success
Supporting Success

4 The Traits of Successful Social Enterprises
Introduction
Profile of Successful Social Enterprises
Critical Success Factors
Bringing Stakeholder Value
Internal Business Processes
Learning and Innovation
Finance and Resources

5 The Path to Social Enterprise Success
Introduction
Life Stages
Origins
Getting Started
The Early Years
Growth and Adulthood
Scale and Maturity

6 Entrepreneurship, Resilience, and Adaptability to Change
Introduction
The Make or Break Moments
Lessons from the Difficult Times
Reinforcement and Resilience
Entrepreneurial Leadership and Decision-making

7 External Influences on the Success of Social Enterprises
Introduction
The Forces that Influence Success
High Level Influences
Localised or Direct Influences

8 Surviving and Thriving During Difficult Economic Conditions
Introduction
Exposure to the Recession
Immediate Effects of the Recession
Short-term Survival Tactics
Longer-term Prospects and Strategies

9 Succeeding as an Ethnic Minority Social Enterprise
Introduction
Finding Ethnic Minority Social Enterprises
Some Prominent Examples
Common Characteristics
Benchmarking with the 'Best in Class'
Supporting Ethnic Minority Social Enterprises

10 Conclusions
Introduction
What Makes Social Enterprises Successful?
Learning Points and Implications Arising

References

Appendix: Case Study Profiles

The views expressed in this report are those of the researcher and
do not necessarily represent those of the Department or Scottish Ministers.