Virtual social enterprise: modeling sustainability of an enterprise by digital intervention
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/WJEMSD-03-2018-0032 |
| Published date | 05 July 2019 |
| Pages | 182-196 |
| Date | 05 July 2019 |
| Author | Asad Javed,Muhammad Yasir |
| Subject Matter | Strategy |
Virtual social enterprise:
modeling sustainability of an
enterprise by digital intervention
Asad Javed and Muhammad Yasir
Department of Management Sciences, Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan
Abstract
Purpose –Social enterprises (SEs) have emerged as a tool to sustainable development. SEs create a social
value along with an economic value. However, the aspect of SEs still missing from literature is the process of
virtualization. The purpose of this paper is to introduce international social entrepreneurship as an emerging
form of social entrepreneurship that is using information and communication technology (ICT)-enabled
innovation and networking with international partners as virtual enterprise network, to create social and
economic values across the borders.
Design/methodology/approach –In this paper, qualitative research paradigm is adopted to study the
internationalization of SEs. To identify the drivers of internationalization, in-depth literature review was
conducted. Articles from six databases and Google Scholar were searched to propose a comprehensive model
for internationalization of SEs.
Findings –There is limited academic work on the use and impact of digital intervention (ICTs) on SEs and,
especially, on the virtualization of SEs as there is no paper explaining virtualization of SEs. This paper
proposes a model for the internationalization of SEs, named virtual social enterprise.
Research limitations/implications –The conceptual models and discussions on the virtualization of SEs
are very limited in the extant literature. Very few articles could be found that studied the process of
internationalization of SEs. Thus, the paper would have far-reaching implications for social enterprise theory
and practice.
Originality/value –This is first study of its kind proposing a comprehensive theoretical model for
internationalization of SEs. This model could be used by SEs for networking across international boundaries
to control the flow of information and to market their products.
Keywords Social entrepreneurship, Digital intervention and ICTs, Virtual social enterprise
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
The survival of any organization depends upon its competitiveness and continuous growth
(Rumelt, 1997). But the scenario of competition at the international level has changed
dramatically ( Javed et al., 2018). Once the competition was among the larger firms whereas
small firms remained local, but the digital intervention has made local markets accessible to
larger firms and, at the same time, smaller firms can also access the international market.
Organizations have found the way to expand the scope of operation via internationalization,
and hence, they have started operating across the boundaries of single country (Zahra and
George, 2002) that is also becoming an important tool for achieving sustainable competitive
advantage (Rugman and Verbeke, 2003).
Similar to other contemporary organizations, social enterprises (SEs) also want to
achieve sustainability to keep generating social and economic values. SEs are social
mission-oriented profit-generating enterprises having dual purpose of social and economic
value creation (Yang and Wu, 2015; Zahra et al., 2008). Social entrepreneurs around the
globe are providing sustainable solutions for problems while enhancing human
development around the world and improving the qualit y of life. Scholars and
practitioners have recognized social entrepreneurship as a powerful tool to reduce
unemployment (Pache and Santos, 2013), control poverty (Battilana and Dorado, 2010),
address environmental issues ( Jay, 2013) and empower women (Zhao and Wry, 2016), etc.,
and ultimately achieving sustainability (Seelos and Mair, 2005). At the same time, these
World Journal of
Entrepreneurship, Management
and Sustainable Development
Vol. 15 No. 2, 2019
pp. 182-196
© Emerald PublishingLimited
2042-5961
DOI 10.1108/WJEMSD-03-2018-0032
Received 25 March 2018
Revised 29 January 2019
Accepted 1 April 2019
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2042-5961.htm
182
WJEMSD
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