Mapping the Role of Social Enterprise: A Sustainable Model for Future?

It is now ten years since the global financial crisis significantly impacted upon many countries on many countries across the world. Over the last decade, many countries have had to readjust in response to the global financial crisis. In this period, nations such as Europe and the US have applied austerity measures to cut government budget deficits. Some social and political commentators believe that the austerity measures that have been put in place are harsh practices as they have impacted upon communities at a local level. Nevertheless, austerity has created a new ideological debate from the left and the right, in political terms, regarding the ways in which institutions should respond to tough economic challenges. Social enterprise has become a prominent force in the economic globalised word and become an important factor that plays a crucial role in local communities. The authors of this chapter examine the complex relationships between globalization, sustainability and social enterprise. The research encompasses the key theoretical concepts.