Geschichte | Geographie | Wirtschaft | Gesellschaft
Srishti Manivel, 2004 | Olten, SO
This paper examines the critical success factors for Social Enterprises (SEs) in Switzerland, highlighting their increasing global importance in solving societal challenges. Through interviews with social entrepreneurs, it explores the interplay between internal dynamics and the external entrepreneurial ecosystem, emphasising innovation, community support, regulatory navigation, and societal impact for SE success. The study illustrates the importance of personal motivation fuelling their missions. It presents the Swiss case as a unique environment where SEs thrive despite lacking legal recognition and financial tools, showing their adaptability and potential for societal change. The research stresses the need for a supportive ecosystem—through policy reforms, financial inclusivity, and societal recognition—to enhance SEs› impact, contributing valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and academia on fostering sustainable social entrepreneurship.
Introduction
What are key success factors for Social Enterprises in Switzerland? How do Swiss Social Enterprises incorporate social and environmental objectives into their business model, and what effect does this integration have on their definitions of success? What Internal mechanisms drive the success of Social Enterprises in Switzerland? How does the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Switzerland facilitate or impede the success of Social Enterprises?
Methods
The study commenced with a thorough literature review on Social Enterprises (SEs) aiming to clearly define SEs and understand global trends and challenges, with a specific focus on the Swiss context due to the lack of local data. Following the review, empirical data was collected through semi-structured interviews with Swiss social entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds. The interviews, conducted in-person or via video call targeted founders and board members to capture firsthand experiences. Analysis of the interviews utilised a thematic approach to identify patterns and key themes such as internal and external success drivers, contrasting these findings with the initial literature review to highlight the key success factors for Swiss SEs.
Results
The study emphasises the key success factors for Social Enterprises (SEs) in Switzerland, highlighting the transition of founders from diverse fields into social entrepreneurship. It underscores the importance of traits such as leadership, persistence, and strategic balance between inclusivity and vision, in addition to early business education, risk-taking, and resourcefulness. Organisational culture that aligns with the SE’s mission and focuses on solving real-world problems is also vital. Challenges and opportunities are identified in the external environment, including regulatory, financial, and socio-economic aspects, stressing the importance of supportive national frameworks, accessible funding, strong networks, public visibility, and educational initiatives for SEs. The evolving landscape suggests a shift towards social enterprise business models.
Discussion
In the conservative economic landscape of Switzerland, Social Enterprises (SEs) stand out for their innovative and adaptive strategies, driven by a strong sense of personal motivation and bolstered by substantial community support. These enterprises operate without the benefit of tailored legal and financial frameworks, showcasing their resilience as they creatively navigate through regulatory and financial obstacles. The key to their success hinges not only on their ability to overcome these challenges but also on their unwavering focus on societal impact and sustainability, beyond profit. This future-oriented approach underscores the societal contributions and innovative practices of Swiss SEs, yet their efforts often remain underrecognised. Highlighting the critical need for enhanced visibility and the importance of broader acknowledgment of SEs› contributions to ensure their continued impactful societal presence.
Conclusions
The paper investigates the factors contributing to the success of Swiss Social Enterprises within a conservative economic context, pinpointing innovation, adaptability, personal motivation, community backing, and a call for increased acknowledgment as crucial elements. It emphasizes the need for a nurturing ecosystem, policy adjustments, and wider societal appreciation to enhance SEs› impact on sustainability. The study intends to provide a theoretical framework for policymakers and support structures to strengthen SEs, aspiring to motivate efforts towards a future where even more social businesses flourish.
Würdigung durch den Experten
Dr. Francis Müller
In ihrer Maturarbeit «The Pillars of Social Entreprise Success in the Swiss Context» beschäftigt sich Srishti Manivel theoretisch und empirisch mit den Erfolgsfaktoren von Sozialunternehmen (SEs). Neben einer fundierten Literaturrecherche führt sie zehn qualitative Interviews mit Sozialunternehmer:innen durch und beleuchtet so die intrinsischen und extrinsischen Einflussfaktoren, die auf den Erfolg der SEs einwirken. Sie geht dabei dezidiert auf die kulturellen, ökonomischen und rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen in der Schweiz ein und auf die Frage, ob die Politik SEs unterstützen sollte.
Prädikat:
hervorragend
Sonderpreis «I-FEST²» gestiftet von der SJf-Trägerschaft
Kantonsschule Olten
Lehrer: Patrick Schoch
