THE SHAPING OF SOCIAL ENTERPRENEURSHIP IN A TRANSITION ECONOMY: THE CASE OF MYANMAR

Abstract

This study aims to generate a clearer understanding of social entrepreneurship in the transition economy of Myanmar, as well as the interactions between social entrepreneurship and its environment. Using a grounded theory approach, the central argument in this thesis is that pertinent features of the contextual environment shape antecedent forces of social entrepreneurship which, in turn, influence social entrepreneurship activities and outcomes. This paper puts forth propositions that delineate four concurrent antecedent forces through which social entrepreneurship is shaped by its contextual environment – construction of a social mission, economic rationale, personal and organizational values, and the conception of social entrepreneurship. In its culmination, this paper presents a proposed model that focuses on the antecedent forces of social entrepreneurship. The paper concludes with a discussion on the interplay of these concurrent antecedent forces in their shaping of social entrepreneurship activities and outcomes, and calls for further research on the interaction between the practice of social entrepreneurship and its diverse contextual environments.