Researcher(s):
Jhana Taylor Valentine
ENVS course(s): 499 Initiated: October 2013 Completed: December 2014 Go to project site
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Social entrepreneurship is on the rise in developing countries as a method for addressing difficult social and ecological issues. Entrepreneurship is defined by broad characteristics, such as innovation and a willingness to take on risk. Therefore, social enterprises take many different forms. But a common factor throughout the field of entrepreneurship is a dependency on social network connections and social capital. I am interested in what methods are used to make these connections and how they lead to collaboration and wider social networks for social entrepreneurs. In Guatemala, there are many examples of social entrepreneurs working with rural communities and incorporating an ecological focus into their mission. I believe communication and collaboration is especially important for entrepreneurs trying to bridge important gaps, such as between rural and urban demographics and social and ecological missions. This research was inspired by my desire to better understand what communication and collaboration methods are being used by entrepreneurs in the Global South. A discussion of my findings can be found in my final report at: https://ds.lclark.edu/jhana.