Social Entrepreneurship: Social Entrepreneurship: International PerspectivesInternational Perspectives

Steven Lux Maxwell School of Syracuse University

Learning ObjectivesLearning ObjectivesReview key Concepts in this course

Broaden your perspectives on how Social Entrepreneurship (SE) concepts are applied in the international domain

Analyze constraints and opportunities for SE in the international frame

Your InterestsYour Interests

My perspectives on thisMy perspectives on thisRegional Director of an Asian

NGOTeaching –

(http://faculty.maxwell.syr.edu/sjlux/)

◦NGO Management in Developing Countries

◦Governance and Global Civil SocietyResearch

◦Transnational NGO Study

Case Studies, Data, Case Studies, Data, ExperiencesExperiencesUnfortunately, not a whole lot of

data or literature to say that SE is the right thing for international development

Plenty of Case Studies to share that suggest it works, perhaps as many that worry about SE ineffectiveness

Will provide personal war stories that provide insights to the points I want to make

SE definition for the SE definition for the InternationalInternationalIf you believe . . .

“Process of creating value by bringing together a unique package of resources to exploit an opportunity” (Morris, M.)

What is different about the international dimension? - nothing in terms of process - everything in terms of actors and context

Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship as a Process as a Process (Morris, M.)(Morris, M.)

Identifying an Opportunity

Develop the Concept

Determine Required Resources

Acquire Necessary Resources

Implement and Manage

Harvest the Venture

International Social International Social EntrepreneurEntrepreneurSo what is so different . . .

◦Beyond one’s national borders◦Imbedded in other cultures, languages,

etc. ◦Social, political, economic environment

different than one’s own

Elements Required for Elements Required for Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship (Morris, M.)(Morris, M.)

The organizational context

The entrepreneur

The resourcesThe concept

The entrepreneurial process

The environment

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ExamplesExamplesCARE Packages

What complications do we What complications do we find with SE in the find with SE in the International Realm? International Realm?

Do you remember who wrote Do you remember who wrote this famous phrase?this famous phrase?

“ . . . pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will“

A. Antonio Gramsci

books.jpg

A Few Common IssuesA Few Common IssuesOvercoming GuiltUnderstanding Problems and

NeedsThe Nature of PoliticsEconomic Influences

1. Getting beyond Guilt1. Getting beyond GuiltLazarus and the Rich Man – what

does this mean in terms of actions◦Don’t neglect the Poor, but . . .

Handouts are not necessarily empowering, they can create dependency

Cutting off our own consumption may not help the poor, they may rely on exports

◦“The poor cannot eat our guilt. We screwed them with colonialism and our guilt will not solve that history.” (senior VP, PATH)

2. Problems and Needs2. Problems and NeedsWho determines what they are?How do we set priorities?Where do we find mismatches

between the SE and the target groups?

Maslow's Hierarchy Maslow's Hierarchy (Review)(Review)

physiological

safety and security

belongingess

self-esteem

cognitive

aesthetic

self-actualization

self-transcendence

Proper nutrition

School and neighborhood safety

Community programs

Empowermenteem

cognitive

aesthetic

self-actualization

self-transcendence

Proper nutrition

School and neighborhood safety

Community programs

Empowerment programs

Academic programs

The arts

College scholarships

Programs to create mentors

Maslow’s Hierarchy Example enterprises

Needs - SE vs Target Needs - SE vs Target GroupGroup

Aesthetic

Self-actualization

Self-transformation

Aesthetic

Self-actualization

Self-transformation

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEU

RS

TARGET GROUP

3. Political Realities3. Political Realities

Does government accept your presence?

Who is on your side, who is against?

Do we understand the state of development and rules of engagement be it related to civil society, NGOs, Gov

The Bullshit ProjectThe Bullshit ProjectPhu Xieng Thong National Bio-

diversity Conservation Area Project◦Objective – reduce forest use through

alternative livelihood development◦Major Activities – higher yield rice

production, animal husbandry, improved health, birth spacing, and education

Real need: cheap, natural fertilizerMost difficult barrier: local government

Who Profits and Who Who Profits and Who LosesLoses“And it ought to be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things. Because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new.”

The Prince, Chapter 6,Nicolo Machiavelli

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Role as Source of TensionRole as Source of Tension

THEN NOW

Religious

based Work Social

Work &

Charity

Develop-

ment Advocacy and Rights Focus.

Then and NowThen and Now

4. Economic Realities4. Economic Realities

Is the SE working with or against the predominant economic system?

What forces might undermine the solution proposed?

For example . . .For example . . .In the

1980s http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3543059.stm

Vs.

Poverty and Famines, Amartya Sen

ExerciseExerciseWhat types of work represent the

greatest challenge for International SEs?

My hope for you . . . My hope for you . . . Everyone of you will become a

“smart” international SE◦Starting orgs◦Supporting orgs◦Volunteering oversees

Take calculated risk, learn, and be willing to make mistakes◦The hope for SE is that we might get

out of the traditional aid trap that does not recognize or value failures

Hopeful, Critical, EffectiveHopeful, Critical, EffectiveSocial Entrepreneurs provide great

hope for international development dilemmas

BUT face a variety of critical questions about their effectiveness:◦Empirical evidence, can you prove its

worth?◦Are market forces, migration,

urbanization, demographics more important?

Hopeful, Critical, EffectiveHopeful, Critical, Effective

Let’s make our International SE’s smarter, more in tune with then needs and risks of the work they propose. Critical thinking and analysis will transform hope into effectiveness.

What must International SE’s What must International SE’s learn?learn?Understanding the needsUnderstanding the risksUnderstanding transformation,

which means . . . .

Your analysis determines your action!

Organizations that have Organizations that have done that well or are trying done that well or are trying to do so! to do so! PDA - Cabbages and Condoms

CampaignPATH Idea FactoryAshoka Foundation

PATH Idea FactoryPATH Idea Factoryhttp://www.path.org/about.phphttp://www.path.org/awards.phphttp://www.path.org/media/

product-development-tour.php