The design and social enterprise ecosystem: How can design be applied to a developing social enterprise ecosystem?

Abstract

The United Kingdom’s social enterprise sector has grown radically over the past two decades, as a result of various government-led efforts to create an environment which enables social enterprise development. However, financial weaknesses still impede the sustainability and growth of most social enterprises. Typically, businesses recognise design as an important factor in the growth of their potential competitiveness which is crucial to making profits, and as a tool enabling stakeholders and organisations to work better as a system. Design is thus regarded as potentially playing a significant role in overcoming the financial weaknesses of social enterprises, in order to encourage their growth and sustainability. To date, few studies have been undertaken on the use of design for social enterprises, so there is insufficient data about the relationship between stakeholders and the role of design. This current research project proposes the need to study how encouraging the strategic use of design can address the growth and sustainability of social enterprises, from the multiple stakeholders’ perspectives in the social enterprise ecosystem.