@misc{MairSeelos, author = {Mair, Johanna and Seelos, Christian}, title = {The Sekem Initiative}, series = {Improving management}, journal = {Improving management}, publisher = {IESE Estudios y Ediciones}, isbn = {9788486851620}, pages = {269 -- 297}, language = {en} } @misc{MairSeelos, author = {Mair, Johanna and Seelos, Christian}, title = {La Iniciativa Sekem}, series = {Mejorar la gestion de empresas}, journal = {Mejorar la gestion de empresas}, publisher = {McGrawHill}, address = {Madrid}, isbn = {9788448146382}, pages = {280-309}, language = {es} } @misc{MairSeelos, author = {Mair, Johanna and Seelos, Christian}, title = {Entropy International: Enabling businesses to make a contribution to sustainable development}, publisher = {IESE Business School}, pages = {21}, abstract = {This case documents the circumstances of managing the growth phase of a start-up company. Entropy International faces the unique challenges and opportunities of social entrepreneurship but also entrepreneurship in general. Founded by a visionary environmental activist in 1996 as an environmental consulting boutique in the United Kingdom, Entropy grew with the emerging needs of large multinational corporations to publicly report on and minimise the environmental and social impacts of their operations. Entropy started out as a two-person consultancy to become the market leader in Europe, selling an integrated environmental, health and safety, quality control and reporting suite. At the time of the case (March 2003), Entropy employed 30 people and expected revenues of 1.6 million pounds for fiscal year 2003.}, language = {en} } @misc{MairSeelos, author = {Mair, Johanna and Seelos, Christian}, title = {Sekem: Liberating a Vision, an Artistic Approach to Entrepreneurship}, publisher = {IESE Business School}, pages = {21}, abstract = {This case portrays a complex set of circumstances that frames Sekem's decisions to further grow and develop the initiative along its historical path of holistic development in the social, economic and cultural spheres. The case documents the history of the initiative and lays out the major constituents and their internal and external relations. Sekem was founded by Ibrahim Abouleish, an Egyptian who had been living, studying and working in Austria prior to his return to Egypt in 1977, the year he established Sekem. Literally starting from nothing, ie, a piece of desert land north of Cairo, Abouleish showed tremendous resourcefulness, creativity, and perseverance. Driven by a strong belief in his personal mission, Abouleish built up the Sekem initiative that in 2003 consisted of three main parts: the Sekem group of companies, the Egyptian Society for Cultural Development and the Co-operative of Sekem Employees, together employing more than 2,000 people. Sekem was also a hub managing a large network of associated farmers and companies within Egypt and abroad. It also ran a medical centre for the local community, a kindergarten, primary and secondary schools, an adult training centre, special needs education programmes, and an academy for applied arts and sciences. In 2003, Abouleish won the Right Livelihood Award, also known as the 'Alternative Nobel Prize', in recognition of Sekem being the blueprint of the organisation of the 21st century. Abouleish has also received an award as an 'outstanding social entrepreneur' from the Schwab Foundation of the World Economic Forum. Abouleish's objective was to heal Egyptian society from the wounds of the past and to initiate holistic development able to create economic, social and cultural value in a sustainable manner.}, language = {en} } @article{MairSeelosBorwankar, author = {Mair, Johanna and Seelos, Christian and Borwankar, Anjaney}, title = {Emprendedores sociales y desarrollo sostenible}, series = {Iniciativa Emprendedora}, volume = {43}, journal = {Iniciativa Emprendedora}, pages = {7 -- 13}, language = {es} } @article{SeelosMair, author = {Seelos, Christian and Mair, Johanna}, title = {Eine lohnende Investition mit ungewissem Ausgang}, series = {Neue Caritas}, volume = {17}, journal = {Neue Caritas}, pages = {9 -- 13}, abstract = {Innovation in sozialen Organisationen bedeutet vor allem eines nicht: die Garantie auf eine schnelle L{\"o}sung von Problemen. Vielmehr ist Innovation ein Prozess, der das Lernpotenzial des Unternehmens steigert und damit auch den gewollten Mehrwert generiert.}, language = {de} } @article{SeelosMair, author = {Seelos, Christian and Mair, Johanna}, title = {Innovation and Scale: A Tough Balancing Act}, series = {Stanford Social Innovation Review}, volume = {Spring 2013}, journal = {Stanford Social Innovation Review}, number = {Special Supplement: Innovation for a Complex World}, pages = {12 -- 14}, language = {en} } @article{SeelosMair, author = {Seelos, Christian and Mair, Johanna}, title = {Innovation Is Not the Holy Grail}, series = {Stanford Social Innovation Review}, volume = {Fall 2012}, journal = {Stanford Social Innovation Review}, pages = {45 -- 49}, language = {en} } @incollection{SeelosMairBattilanaetal., author = {Seelos, Christian and Mair, Johanna and Battilana, Julie and Dacin, M. Tina}, title = {The embeddedness of social entrepreneurship: Understanding variation across geographic communities}, series = {Communities and Organizations}, volume = {33}, booktitle = {Communities and Organizations}, editor = {Lounsbury, Michael}, edition = {Research in the Sociology of Organizations}, isbn = {978-1-78052-284-5}, issn = {0733-558X}, pages = {333 -- 363}, abstract = {Social enterprise organizations (SEOs) arise from entrepreneurial activities with the aim of achieving social goals. SEOs have been identified as alternative and/or complementary to the actions of governments and international organizations to address poverty and poverty-related social needs. Using a number of illustrative cases, we explore how variation of local institutional mechanisms shapes the local "face of poverty" in different communities and how this relates to variations in the emergence and strategic orientations of SEOs. We develop a model of the productive opportunity space for SEOs as a basis of and an inspiration for further scholarly inquiry.}, language = {en} } @incollection{SeelosMair, author = {Seelos, Christian and Mair, Johanna}, title = {Organizational closure competencies and scaling: A realist approach to theorizing social enterprise}, series = {Social entrepreneurship and research methods}, booktitle = {Social entrepreneurship and research methods}, publisher = {Emerald Group Publishing Limited}, address = {Bingley}, isbn = {978-1-78441-142-8}, pages = {147 -- 188}, abstract = {Purpose Social entrepreneurs create novel approaches to social problems such as poverty. But scaling these approaches to the dimension of the problem can be a difficult task. In the social enterprise sector, the subject of scaling has become a key dimension of organizational performance. This chapter advances the scholarly literature on the scaling of social enterprises, a literature which is currently in an embryonic stage and characterized by conceptual ambiguity and fragmented perspectives. Methodology/Approach We engage realist philosophy of science to develop mechanism-based causal explanations of the scaling performance of social enterprises. We also develop a coding scheme to guide systematic empirical analysis and highlight the explanatory power of counterfactuals. Counterfactuals have been largely neglected in empirical research as they represent mechanisms that are enabled but remain unobservable - in a state of suppression or neutralization of their effects. Findings We question the ability of organizations to "socially engineer" desired outcomes and introduce a new construct - organizational closure competence. Anchored in realism, this construct provides a basis for productive approaches to social engineering. We elaborate on the importance of organizational closure competencies for scaling, derive a series of propositions, and develop ideas for future research and for practice. Research, Practical and Social Implications Applying a realist lens allows us to add empirical rigor to research on social enterprises and scaling. Our approach constitutes a move from rich narratives to causal models and informs the way we design and evaluate efforts to address important societal challenges. Originality/Value of Chapter This chapter demonstrates how to operationalize realist philosophy of science for causal explanations of complex social phenomena and better utilize its theoretical and practical value.}, language = {en} } @book{MairSeelos, author = {Mair, Johanna and Seelos, Christian}, title = {Innovation and Scaling for Impact}, publisher = {Stanford University Press}, address = {Stanford}, isbn = {9780804797344}, pages = {256}, abstract = {Innovation and Scaling for Impact forces us to reassess how social sector organizations create value. Drawing on a decade of research, Christian Seelos and Johanna Mair transcend widely held misconceptions, getting to the core of what a sound impact strategy entails in the nonprofit world. They reveal an overlooked nexus between investments that might not pan out (innovation) and expansion based on existing strengths (scaling). In the process, it becomes clear that managing this tension is a difficult balancing act that fundamentally defines an organization and its impact. The authors examine innovation pathologies that can derail organizations by thwarting their efforts to juggle these imperatives. Then, through four rich case studies, they detail innovation archetypes that effectively sidestep these pathologies and blend innovation with scaling. Readers will come away with conceptual models to drive progress in the social sector and tools for defining the future of their organizations.}, language = {en} } @article{MairSeelos, author = {Mair, Johanna and Seelos, Christian}, title = {Profitable business models and market creation in the context of deep poverty: A strategic view}, series = {Academy of Management Perspectives}, volume = {21}, journal = {Academy of Management Perspectives}, number = {4}, issn = {1558-9080}, doi = {10.5465/AMP.2007.27895339}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b1570-opus4-21813}, pages = {49 -- 63}, abstract = {The bottom of the pyramid (BOP) in the global distribution of income has been promoted as a significant opportunity for companies to grow profitably. Under the BOP approach, poor people are identified as potential customers who can be served if companies learn to fundamentally rethink their existing strategies and business models. This involves acquiring and building new resources and capabilities and forging a multitude of local partnerships. However, current BOP literature remains relatively silent about how to actually implement such a step into the unknown. We use two BOP cases to illustrate a strategic framework that reduces managerial complexity. In our view, existing capabilities and existing local BOP models can be leveraged to build new markets that include the poor and generate sufficient financial returns for companies to justify investments.}, language = {en} } @article{MairSeelos, author = {Mair, Johanna and Seelos, Christian}, title = {Digital democracy}, series = {European Business Forum}, volume = {26}, journal = {European Business Forum}, issn = {1469-6460}, pages = {59 -- 61}, abstract = {Comite para Democratizacao da Informatica (CDI) is a non-political, non-profit, and non-governmental organization founded in Brazil in 1995. It aims to promote the social inclusion of less-privileged people, using information and communication technologies to teach them the basic concepts of self-esteem, citizenship and their rights as individuals. CDI executive director and founder Rodrigo Baggio's first step was to launch a campaign called "Computers for All", where companies were contacted and asked to donate used computers to the favelas. The next step was to create computer schools in the slums. In response to demand for new schools in other Brazilian states and beyond, CDI designed a "social franchise" model. The idea was to set up regional CDI offices to create new schools. Students are motivated to develop ideas that generate income and give them better employment prospects. The challenge now is for Baggio and his team to manage growth without losing the original vision of CDI.}, language = {en} } @techreport{SeelosMair, type = {Working Paper}, author = {Seelos, Christian and Mair, Johanna}, title = {Social entrepreneurship. The contribution of individual entrepreneurs to sustainable development}, series = {Working Paper, WP No 553}, journal = {Working Paper, WP No 553}, publisher = {IESE Business School}, address = {Barcelona}, pages = {19}, abstract = {Social entrepreneurship is a phenomenon that has resisted attempts to establish a clear definition. A focus on organizational structures and/or what constitutes a worthy social cause has created a diverse set of terminology. Observing the positive social impact of entrepreneurs catering to basic needs, this paper recognizes their unique role in efficiently contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals. From this perspective, the term social can be much better defined. The frameworks proposed in this paper should guide much-needed further research and facilitate decision making about more focused support from a financial as well as a learning perspective.}, language = {en} } @article{MairSeelosBorwankar, author = {Mair, Johanna and Seelos, Christian and Borwankar, Anjaney}, title = {Social entrepreneurial initiatives within the sustainable development landscape}, series = {International Journal of Entrepreneurship Education}, volume = {2}, journal = {International Journal of Entrepreneurship Education}, number = {4}, issn = {1649-2269}, pages = {431 -- 452}, abstract = {Over the last few years many business schools have been active in developing courses on social entrepreneurship. The case studies used are typically based on non-profit initiatives aimed at alleviating social problems in the community. Yet social entrepreneurship is not limited in scope and structure. It is neither geographically nor culturally centered. To avoid the dilemma of defining what social entrepreneurship is or what it is not, we argue that the most fruitful approach is to adopt a specific perspective that illuminates the role and the unique contribution of social entrepreneurship. The perspective we propose is 'sustainable development'. This approach also permits the positioning of social entrepreneurship alongside existing organizations that participate in the global efforts to achieve sustainable development. We describe initiatives by social entrepreneurs and established corporations, highlight the social, economic and environmental impact, and draw out commonalities from the examples given.}, language = {en} } @article{MairSeelos, author = {Mair, Johanna and Seelos, Christian}, title = {Sustainable development, sustainable profit}, series = {European Business Forum}, volume = {20}, journal = {European Business Forum}, issn = {1469-6460}, pages = {49 -- 53}, abstract = {Social entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool for corporations to gain entry and build loyalty in developing markets. While economic growth has led to tremendous improvements in personal freedoms and well-being for people in industrialised societies, it has left too many behind. The images of hunger, disease and human misery refuse to disappear from our television screens. How can growth be made more sustainable while at the same time including and benefiting all of society? The paradox is painful: while traditional markets are saturated, billions of people are desperately waiting for companies to cater to their most basic needs and wants. Social entrepreneurs act as change agents that enable the poor to participate in economic life. Entrepreneurs invent business models that can be scaled up and possibly repeated elsewhere: the Grameen Bank model has been replicated all over the world, with huge success. Social entrepreneurship initiatives also constitute local resources that lend themselves to new configurations for novel forms of value creation.}, language = {en} } @article{MairSeelos, author = {Mair, Johanna and Seelos, Christian}, title = {Social Entrepreneurship : Creating new business models to serve the poor}, series = {Business Horizons}, volume = {48}, journal = {Business Horizons}, number = {3}, issn = {0007-6813}, doi = {10.1016/j.bushor.2004.11.006}, pages = {241 -- 246}, abstract = {The term "social entrepreneurship" (SE) is used to refer to the rapidly growing number of organizations that have created models for efficiently catering to basic human needs that existing markets and institutions have failed to satisfy. Social entrepreneurship combines the resourcefulness of traditional entrepreneurship with a mission to change society. One social entrepreneur, Ibrahim Abouleish, recently received the "Alternative Nobel Prize" for his Sekem initiative; in 2004, e-Bay founder Jeff Skoll donated 4.4 million pounds to set up a social entrepreneurship research center; and many social entrepreneurs have mingled with their business counterparts at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Social entrepreneurship offers insights that may stimulate ideas for more socially acceptable and sustainable business strategies and organizational forms. Because it contributes directly to internationally recognized sustainable development (SD) goals, social entrepreneurship may also encourage established corporations to take on greater social responsibility.}, language = {en} } @incollection{MairSeelos, author = {Mair, Johanna and Seelos, Christian}, title = {Hope for Sustainable Development: How Social Entrepreneurs Make It Happen}, series = {An Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship: Voices, Preconditions and Contexts}, booktitle = {An Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship: Voices, Preconditions and Contexts}, editor = {Ziegler, Rafeal}, publisher = {Edward Elgar}, address = {Cheltenham}, isbn = {9781848443068}, doi = {10.4337/9781848446229.00021}, pages = {228 -- 246}, language = {en} } @incollection{MairSeelos, author = {Mair, Johanna and Seelos, Christian}, title = {How social entrepreneurs enable human, social, and economic development}, series = {Business Solutions for the Global Poor: Creating Social and Economic Value}, booktitle = {Business Solutions for the Global Poor: Creating Social and Economic Value}, editor = {Rangan, V. Kashturi and Quelch, John A. and Herrero, Gustavo and Barton, Brooke}, publisher = {Jossey-Bass}, address = {San Francisco}, isbn = {978-0-7879-8216-4}, pages = {271 -- 294}, language = {en} } @incollection{MairSeelos, author = {Mair, Johanna and Seelos, Christian}, title = {The Sekem initiative: a holistic vision to develop people}, series = {New Social Entrepreneurship : What awaits social entrepreneurship ventures?}, booktitle = {New Social Entrepreneurship : What awaits social entrepreneurship ventures?}, editor = {Perrini, Francesco}, publisher = {Edward Elgar}, address = {Cheltenham}, isbn = {9781845427818}, pages = {210 -- 223}, language = {en} }