| dc.description.abstract | This dissertation explores Social Enterprise and the impact it is having upon employment throughout central Scotland. With the Scottish Government taking out an ambitious ten-year Social Enterprise strategy, this sector is clearly one in its developing stages and is of interest for study going forward.
Despite Social Enterprise emerging as the fourth sector (Martin and Thompson, 2010), a limited amount of research has been done regarding the value and impact it has on a local scale. This dissertation looks at the people behind Social Enterprises, across Scotland's central belt, in a bid to distinguish the differences between them and the private, public and third sector.
Looking specifically at employment, this dissertation shall explore trends, differences and common threads which are present. With unemployment in Scotland still a major issue, with an estimated 129,000 people out of work (BBC, 2017), the impact Social Enterprise businesses can have on employment is an important area of research. While this number fails to discuss 'why' but the trending reasons behind unemployment seem to be unqualified, disability preventing, mums struggling to return to workforce and ex-offenders (Theodore, 2017).
This report will attempt to examine the questions surrounding Social Enterprise. Whether it can break the stigmas attached to these groups and employ a well-rounded workforce. If by keeping their focus on social goals they can try different and more inclusive hiring schemes? More importantly if Social Enterprise will be the business model that changes the way Scotland does business forever? | |
