This book discusses social entrepreneurship, especially in context of India. It focuses on understanding the whole process of social value creation, i.e. social entrepreneurship - opportunity identification, resource mobilisation, social value, capabilities of social entrepreneurs and innovation in three different types of social enterprises – (i) non-profit or charitable ones; (ii) non-profit social enterprise, sustainable with the combined income of grants, subsidies and own earned income; self-sustainable not-for-profit social enterprise; and hybrid social enterprise; and (iii) for-profit social enterprises. Sample cases of social entrepreneurs (Ashoka Fellows) were selected from three inter-linked sectors -- health, education and livelihood. To provide a comprehensive view, interviews were taken not only from the founders (social entrepreneurs), management personnel, and other employees, but also from the beneficiaries. The book comprises how, on the basis of cross-comparison between three types of social enterprises, several propositions and finally theoretical framework on social entrepreneurship have been developed. It proposes that social entrepreneurship can be acquired and that these social entrepreneurs can help solve the larger social problems faced both by developing and developed nations.
