Social Enterprise in the Higher Education Sector

Social enterprise is becoming an increasingly crucial feature within the higher education sector. Traditionally, it sits within business and economic subject areas, but has close ties with the community sector, where the concept is seen as a linchpin connecting the public, private and voluntary sectors together. The connection that social enterprise offers is seen by many governments around the world to have the potential to galvanize economic growth after the global financial crisis of 2008. Social enterprise is becoming an ever-more important aspect of research, teaching and learning, especially in the higher education sector. Universities across the world perceive it to be an advantage to students trying to obtain a job after completing their studies. Further to this, the study of social enterprise also provides opportunities for students to set up their own organizations in profit or non-profit settings. This edited volume provides a joined-up thinking approach to social enterprise within the social sciences. The contributions here examine theoretical approaches to social enterprise, addressing its influence on wider society and its fundamental importance within the higher education sector. Merging these ideas, the book offers a number of best practice examples of social enterprise within teaching and learning in the social sciences.