Social Enterprises: Creating Jobs and Community Wellness One Small Business at a Time

Abstract

The social enterprise business model has become increasingly prevalent in recent years; in particular, many social enterprises in British Columbia, Canada, (B.C.) have evolved with a social mission offering employment to people facing multiple, persistent barriers. This research report contextualizes the role that these social enterprises play in the B.C. economy by analyzing the barriers to employment, the specific managerial challenges that are associated with social enterprises, and the value that social enterprises provide to the people they employ and the greater community. The result of this analysis includes a set of concrete recommendations that aim to alleviate these barriers and provide an environment that is more conducive to the growth of social enterprises in B.C.