Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore and Washington DC (18 March 2009) – As the government announces that social enterprises will be at the heart of the new economy, a new book aims to be the definitive 'how to' guide for managers in this rapidly growing sector.
Management for Social Enterprise, written by leading researchers from Liverpool John Moores University and published this week by SAGE, is the first title of its kind to offer support to managers in social enterprises.
The Social Enterprise sector, comprising organisations whose profits are reinvested in the business to achieve their social mission, is set for significant growth. While the prospect of going to work each day to change society for the better is an increasingly attractive option for employees, social enterprises have also been receiving unprecedented attention and support from governments internationally, with current policy viewing them as vital to a strong mixed economy. According to the UK government's 2006 Social Action Plan, 55,000 Social Enterprises were operating in the UK, and that number is growing all the time. As the recession bites, the UK government has also committed a £42 million package of support to the Third Sector, aimed at ensuring that organisations working with those most in need remain sustainable. UK Cabinet Minister Liam Bryne, speaking at the Voice 09 social enterprise conference in February, announced a drive to create 25,000 jobs in social enterprises by expanding their role in providing public services.
As co-author Bob Doherty points out, some of the business models initiated by this innovative sector are absolutely ingenious, and offer numerous benefits to society. For instance, Create Community Recycling, in partnership with the Furniture Resource Centre Group on Merseyside (UK), collect and recondition old household goods such as refrigerators. This is good for the environment because they are prevented from being disposed of in land fill sites. The repairs are carried out by workers who have been jobless for a long period and who are given comprehensive training. This helps tackle social exclusion. Finally, the goods are sold at a discount to low-income families or to charities such as Women's Aid – a third positive impact from just one creative business.
"Social enterprises can have impacts far beyond their sector," says Bob. "Fairtrade chocolate, for instance, is now being produced by mainstream brands. That's a direct response to social enterprise products. To get to that point, however, you often have to challenge the status quo. Breaking into those markets – even getting an interview with a supermarket – can feel like David against Goliath. That's why Social Enterprise takes courage and determination – people who lead radical changes can be seen as controversial to begin with, and it takes a huge amount of energy to win hearts and minds. But when a team shares a passion for something, it's amazing what can be achieved."
As well as money, however, managing Social Enterprises requires a different skills set from that used in conventional businesses. That's why Management for Social Enterprise provides a comprehensive exploration of how to apply – and adapt – conventional management theory to Social Enterprises, with international case-studies and real-life business examples. The highly experienced team from Liverpool John Moores University's dedicated master's course on the subject bring together clearly-written self-contained chapters on strategy, finance, ethics, social accounting, marketing and people management.
In the words of Sophi Tranchell, managing director of Divine Chocolate, a leading fair-trade product, and a Social Enterprise Ambassador, "This is just what the rapidly growing Social Enterprise sector needs: a management manual to help us take Social Enterprises to the next level by people who have hands on experience."
Not only will this timely publication help existing Social Enterprises develop sustainable management practices – the allure of running a business where positive social outcomes are central to strategy could help make Managing Social Enterprises the catalyst for a new wave of good ideas. Social Enterprises have clear benefits for society, but they can also be a great experience for their creators.
"Working in Social Enterprise made me feel good about myself," says Bob Doherty. "There's no better reward than feeling a swell of pride when you tell people what you do. That's real job satisfaction."
Managing Social Enterprises by Bob Doherty, George Foster, Chris Mason, John Meehan, Karon Meehan, Neil Rotheroe, and Maureen Royce is published today by SAGE. Available in paperback and hard cover:
Paperback ISBN: 9781412947497 £24.99
Hardcover ISBN: 9781412947480 £75.00
For further information visit http://www.uk.sagepub.com/booksProdDesc.nav?prodId=Book231926&
For a review copy email reviews@sagepub.co.uk
SAGE is a leading international publisher of journals, books, and electronic media for academic, educational, and professional markets. Since 1965, SAGE has helped inform and educate a global community of scholars, practitioners, researchers, and students spanning a wide range of subject areas including business, humanities, social sciences, and science, technology, and medicine. An independent company, SAGE has principal offices in Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore and Washington DC. www.sagepublications.com
Liverpool Business School (LBS) at Liverpool John Moores University is one of the UK's largest and leading full-service business schools. With over 30 years' experience to draw on, it has over 5,000 students enrolled on undergraduate, postgraduate and professional programmes. The School launched the first UK master's programme in Social Enterprise in 2003 and its programme leader Bob Doherty is the editor of the Social Enterprise Journal. The Management of Social Enterprise is one of the school's core research areas.
Information on the Social Action Plan of 2006 plus reviews on progress to date is available at http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/social_enterprise/action_plan.aspx. A press release on Liam Byrne's announcements can be accessed at http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/newsroom/news_releases/2009/090211voice09.aspx.