Business model innovation and social value creation
: a multiple case study of social enterprises

  • Natalia Inez Kaczor (Student)

Student thesis: Master's Thesis

Abstract

This dissertation provides a detailed examination of business model innovation (BMI) within social entrepreneurship, focusing on how social enterprises reconcile business goals with social values. The study specifically investigates the cases of ColorADD and Movimento Transformers, both operating in Portugal. The research explores the processes of creating and remodelling business models to balance social value creation with economic sustainability, identifying key tensions, paradoxes, and strategies involved. The literature review discusses the definitions and core elements of business models and the nuances of social entrepreneurship. Building on these theoretical insights, a multiple case study approach is employed, incorporating semi-structured interviews with social entrepreneurs, direct observations and secondary data to ensure comprehensive data triangulation. The findings highlight that effective BMI in social enterprises involves innovative approaches to social and economic integration, with critical success factors including stakeholder engagement, community involvement and diversified funding models. This research shows the importance of adaptive business models that address both social impact and financial sustainability, offering valuable insights for practitioners and scholars in the field of social entrepreneurship.
Date of Award23 Oct 2024
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • Universidade Católica Portuguesa
SupervisorPiotr Wójcik (Supervisor)

Keywords

  • Business model innovation
  • Social entrepreneurship
  • Economic value
  • Social value

Designation

  • Mestrado em Gestão e Administração de Empresas (mestrado internacional)

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