A Abordagem Effectuation em Empreendedorismo Social

Abstract

Knowing that the social business environment is full of uncertainties and contingencies and recognizing the importance of non-profit organizations, which have shown their performance concerning the collectivity well-being, this study analyzes the process of creation of social enterprises based on the Effectuation approach. This paper intended to identify how the effectuation concepts of definition of means, affordable losses, strategic alliances and contingencies leverage, proposed by Sarasvathy (2001), format the creation of social enterprises. For this purpose, a qualitative and exploratory multiple case study was conducted in social enterprises in the state of Sergipe, Brazil. The data were collected through semi structured interviews with two social entrepreneurs of Sergipe and the content of the interviews was analyzed through content analysis. The results suggest that the social entrepreneurs apply elements of effectuation in their businesses, especially the definition of means, when they get involved in businesses based on their personal and professional characteristics and network. The celebration of strategic partners, without formal nature, was revealed as principal to the creation and continuity of the social businesses. At last, the concepts of affordable losses and the contingencies leverage were the less highlighted in the cases.

Keywords

• social entrepreneurship
• effectuation
• creation of social businesses