The Social Enterprise Zoo A Guide for Perplexed Scholars, Entrepreneurs, Philanthropists, Leaders, Investors, and Policymakers

The Social Enterprise Zoo employs the metaphor of the zoo to gain a more comprehensive understanding of social enterprise: the diversity of its forms; the various ways it is organized in different socio-political environments; how different forms of enterprise behave, interact, and thrive; and what lessons can be drawn for the future development and study of organizations that seek to balance social or environmental impact with economic success.

After setting the stage with a thorough introduction, top scholars explore the different ways that social enterprises can be classified, nurtured, and understood. The book not only details the legal forms utilized in social enterprise and the social entrepreneurs involved in them, but it also addresses the reasons for the success or failure of these activities and looks at the ecologies in which they operate. The “zookeepers,” such as governments and the regulatory regimes they establish, are compared and the important roles they play are examined. The volume concludes with a look at the future of social enterprise, providing suggestions for further research and implications for policy and practice.

This innovative and accessible book is recommended for students, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs and managers of social purpose organizations.