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Cited by 11Entrepreneurship Studies and InfluencesCommunity Development and Social ImpactInnovation and Knowledge Management

Organizational Closure Competencies and Scaling: A Realist Approach to Theorizing Social Enterprise

Seelos, Christian, Mair, Johanna·2014·Social Entrepreneurship and Research Methods
DOI 10.1108/s1479-838720140000009014
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Abstract

Purpose: Social entrepreneurs create novel approaches to social problems such as poverty. But scaling these approaches to the dimension of the problem can be a difficult task. In the social enterprise sector, the subject of scaling has become a key dimension of organizational performance. This chapter advances the scholarly literature on the scaling of social enterprises, a literature which is currently in an embryonic stage and characterized by conceptual ambiguity and fragmented perspectives. Methodology/Approach: We engage realist philosophy of science to develop mechanism-based causal explanations of the scaling performance of social enterprises. We also develop a coding scheme to guide systematic empirical analysis and highlight the explanatory power of counterfactuals. Counterfactuals have been largely neglected in empirical research as they represent mechanisms that are enabled but remain unobservable – in a state of suppression or neutralization of their effects. Findings: We question the ability of organizations to “socially engineer” desired outcomes and introduce a new construct – organizational closure competence. Anchored in realism, this construct provides a basis for productive approaches to social engineering. We elaborate on the importance of organizational closure competencies for scaling, derive a series of propositions, and develop ideas for future research and for practice. Research, Practical and Social Implications: Applying a realist lens allows us to add empirical rigor to research on social enterprises and scaling. Our approach constitutes a move from rich narratives to causal models and informs the way we design and evaluate efforts to address important societal challenges. Originality/Value of Chapter: This chapter demonstrates how to operationalize realist philosophy of science for causal explanations of complex social phenomena and better utilize its theoretical and practical value.

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Authors
Seelos, C., & Mair, J.
ORCID
Mair, Johanna
Venue
Social Entrepreneurship and Research Methods
Publisher
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Published
2014-07-21
Pages
147-187
DOI
10.1108/s1479-838720140000009014
OpenAlex
W2490485165
Cited by
11
References
78
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2016: 1
FWCI
1.33
Type
book chapter
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Emerald Group Publishing Limited eBooks (publishedVersion)
  • Research methodology in strategy and management (publishedVersion)
  • OPUS 4 (Zuse Institute Berlin) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Management of Technology and Innovation › Entrepreneurship Studies and Influences
  • Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Finance › Community Development and Social Impact
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › Innovation and Knowledge Management
Keywords
social enterprises, scaling, social engineering, counterfactuals, causal mechanisms, poverty reduction, organizational performance

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