The Emergence and Evolution of Social Enterprise Support Structures

Abstract

In this chapter, we provide a framework for understanding the development of the social enterprise ecosystem in Latin America, and particularly the support structures that focus on developing social enterprises. The framework demonstrates that traditional sectors—university, government, and industry—are beginning to develop initiatives that support the development of the social enterprise sector. There is also an incipient and emerging nontraditional or fourth sector where new hybrid organizations are emerging that specifically focus on economic, social, and environmental goals. Within this fourth sector are social enterprises as well as support organizations whose mission is to develop and strengthen social enterprises and the environment in which they operate. Traditional and nontraditional actors are converging and providing opportunities to recognize and develop social enterprises that respond to the region’s economic, environmental, and social challenges.

This chapter was written by Sebastian Gatica, Adjunct Professor, Business School, and Director, Social Innovation Laboratory, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Special thanks are extended to the Social Innovation Lab team for its contributions to the chapter. The final version was edited by the authors of Social Enterprise in Emerging Market Countries: No Free Ride.