Assignment 2 2017 – Social Entrepreneurship Field Research: Difference between revisions

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'''--> back to [[Assignments_Seminar_Social_Entrepreneurship_for_Local_Change_Spring_2017|assignments overview]]'''
'''--> back to [[Assignments_Seminar_Social_Entrepreneurship_for_Local_Change_Spring_2017|assignments overview]]'''
== Time frame ==
== Time frame ==
'''Time frame''': 21.03. – 19.05.2017,  presentation on 11.04.2017
'''21.03. – 23.05.2017, 9 am presentation on 11.04.2017'''


== Task description ==
== Task Description ==
After identifying your local challenge you are now invited to research what others are already doing in this field.  
After identifying your local challenge you are now invited to do desk research (i.e. use secondary data sources) what others are already doing in this field.  
*What kinds of business models exist and how do they work?  
*What types of social business models exist and how do they work?  
*Which individuals are behind those initiatives and what motivates them?  
*Which individuals are behind those initiatives and what motivates them?  
*What could you learn from them?  
* What could you learn from them?  
Before getting started please study our '''[[Social Entrepreneurship for Local Change - Guideline for Field Research|guideline for field research]]'''. There you will also find useful information on how to find a suitable social business.


*Once you have made your decision please start framing your research according to '''[https://ilias.hfwu.de/goto.php?target=cat_14681&client_id=hfwu our case study template]'''. You will receive an own wiki page for this case study in your group area and you can display your final template there.
'''Individual assignment:'''  
*You will need to contact the social entrepreneurs directly and ask for an interview.
*You are asked to individually collect secondary data on a social enterprise in your local area and to summarize the information available by filling out the [https://ilias.hfwu.de/goto.php?target=cat_17448&client_id=hfwu case study template].  
*The interview should be conducted according to the '''[https://ilias.hfwu.de/goto.php?target=cat_14681&client_id=hfwu questionnaire structure]'''.  
*Write a brief report (ca. 5 pages) in which you summarize the information of your local case. You may concentrate on specific aspects of the case study. Attach supplementary information (e.g. graphical material) if available.
*Please be aware that you will be confronted with sensitive information related to the internal processes of the SE. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to ask for the '''entrepreneurs’ consent''' before publication. A '''[https://ilias.hfwu.de/goto.php?target=cat_14681&client_id=hfwu consent form]'''has been prepared for this purpose.  
*You need to submit the completed case study template and the brief written report by 19 May 2017.
*We will only publish the case study template on the wiki and deeper reflections will only be processed internally. However, consent for both will be required.
*'''in your group''' you will then reflect on similarities and differences between the social businesses and in how far local conditions of the respective European countries might be affecting them.
*a '''[[Social_Entrepreneurship_for_Local_Change_-_Guideline_for_Field_Research#Analyzing_the_Data|set of cross-cutting questions]]''' is proposed in the guideline for field research). But you may also propose other questions. You will present your findings to the plenary on '''10th of May 2016.'''


== Submission format and presentation ==
'''Team assignment''':
*'''Group work:'''
*You are further asked to reflect on similarities and differences between the SEs in your team and how far local conditions of the respective countries might be affecting them.
**Present your findings on the comparison of the local cases to the plenary on '''10th of May'''
*Focus on one cross-cutting question in order to compare the SEs (see 5) for examplary questions)
**presentation materials need to be submitted by 9th of May. Your group will have 20 minutes for presentation and 10 minutes discussion.
*Present your findings in your team on '''11 April 2017'''.
**Please use [https://ilias.hfwu.de/goto.php?target=file_15084_download&client_id=hfwu this template] for preparing your presentation
* Use this [https://ilias.hfwu.de/goto.php?target=file_17683_download&client_id=hfwu presentation template]


*'''Individual work:''' Specify your case study (name, topic, location) on the wiki by '''26th of April'''Finalize the case study template for online publication by '''24th of June.''' Make sure that you send the case study template and the publication release form to the interviewee for signature before. Write a brief report (ca. 5 pages) in which you summarize the information of your local case. You may concentrate on specific aspects of the case study. Attach supplementary information (e.g. graphical material) if available.
== Identifying Social Enterprises ==
There are several options to identify a social enterprise for your case study:
* Research the regional and national media (newspaper, magazines etc.) for articles/reports on SEs.
* Research the internet for SEs in your region/country using keywords such as “social enterprise”, “social business”, “social impact”, etc. + the name of the region/country.
* Research online directories and databases of SEs in your region, e.g.
* [https://ashoka.org/regions/europe Ashoka network]
* [https://www.betterplace.org/en betterplace.org]  
* [http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=89&newsId=2149&furtherNews=yes European Commission – European social enterprises]
* [https://www.kiva.org/ Kiva]
* [http://www.schwabfound.org Schwab Foundation]
* [http://skoll.org/community/awardees Skoll Foundation]
* [http://socialbiz.eu/european-examples/ Social Enterprising Europe]
* '''Talk to people''' (family, friends, colleagues, etc.) whether they know SEs in your region.


*'''Follow-up with the SE: '''Write a short email or a letter to the interviewed person. Again thank the interviewee for his/her contribution and briefly explain what happened after the interview and what you and your group learnt from the information.
== Selecting Social Enterprises ==
Keep the following characteristics of social enterprises in mind for selecting appropriate ventures:
* '''Explicit social aims''' – There is a clear social purpose which drives the organisation or business. This explicit social aim is core to the activities, rather than incidental.  
* '''Commercial activity''' – The venture will aim to derive a significant portion of its income from commercial activities such as the sale of goods and services to a market. The organisation may still however generate income from a variety of other sources such as grants etc.


== Evaluation criteria ==
In order to select which SE you are preparing a case study, you might consider the following aspects:
* Timely submission of all required elements
* Does the SE work on a '''similar challenge''' as your team? (this is not mandatory for the case study, but it might help to learn how other people have approached the specific challenge)
* Oral presentation
* Does the SE have a '''homepage''' with detailed information on the SE?
**Quality of oral presentation (i.e. keeping time limits, clarity, expression, quality of presentation slides)
* Do you find sufficient information on the SE in other '''secondary data sources''' (e.g. online publications and directories, journal articles, media in general, company databases)
**Quality and depth of cross-cutting analysis in the group
* Which SE do you personally find most '''interesting'''?
*Case study template
** Quality of case study template (i.e. clarity of wording, completeness)
** Availability of SE’s consent to publish is a risk here, please make this explicit in case so it can be considered
* Written report
** Clear description of the SE’s situation
** Depth of analysis (i.e. describing and connecting the different characteristics)  
** Logic of analysis (i.e. deriving plausible conclusions from the case study and making sound recommendations for SEs (what are the key learnings?))


== Supporting documents ==
'''Please note:'''
*all additional documents (case study template, interview questionnaire, consent form, PDF of this guideline) can be found in [https://ilias.hfwu.de/goto.php?target=cat_14681&client_id=hfwu this ILIAS Folder] (open access)
* You may contact the social entrepreneurs directly and ask for additional information to that you found in secondary sources. However, this is not mandatory due to the limited time frame.
 
== Analyzing the Data ==
Use the case study template to summarize the information from secondary data sources. Concentrate on the main aspects.
Please note that you may not find (sufficient) information on all aspects asked for in the case study template. Therefore chose your SE wisely. It is usually easier to find secondary data on larger SEs and SEs that are funded/supported by third-parties (e.g. Ashoka).
 
In your team, choose one of the following cross-cutting questions to compare your SE cases:
* Do the SEs have a clear social vision and mission and how do they communicate those?
* How can the SE’s relationships with internal and external stakeholders be characterized?
* How and for whom do SEs measure their social impact?
* Which strategies do the SEs pursue to cope with current challenges?
 
'''Please note:'''
*Your team can also agree to use another cross-cutting question that you define within your team (provided that this question can be answered on the basis of the available information)
*Discuss similarities and differences of the local cases with respect to the selected cross-cutting question. Reflect on what differentiates the SEs and in how far local conditions of the respective countries might be affecting them.
 
== Time Frame,deadlines and evaluation ==
* Core activity during weeks 2-4 (21 March – 11 April 2017)
* Team presentation on 11 April 2017
* Submission of individual case study template and individual case study report by 23 May 2017, 9 am
* For your informatin: [https://ilias.hfwu.de/goto.php?target=file_17794_download&client_id=hfwu Evaluation form for the group presentation on April 11]

Latest revision as of 14:21, 11 May 2017

--> back to assignments overview

Time frame

21.03. – 23.05.2017, 9 am presentation on 11.04.2017

Task Description

After identifying your local challenge you are now invited to do desk research (i.e. use secondary data sources) what others are already doing in this field.

  • What types of social business models exist and how do they work?
  • Which individuals are behind those initiatives and what motivates them?
  • What could you learn from them?

Individual assignment:

  • You are asked to individually collect secondary data on a social enterprise in your local area and to summarize the information available by filling out the case study template.
  • Write a brief report (ca. 5 pages) in which you summarize the information of your local case. You may concentrate on specific aspects of the case study. Attach supplementary information (e.g. graphical material) if available.
  • You need to submit the completed case study template and the brief written report by 19 May 2017.

Team assignment:

  • You are further asked to reflect on similarities and differences between the SEs in your team and how far local conditions of the respective countries might be affecting them.
  • Focus on one cross-cutting question in order to compare the SEs (see 5) for examplary questions)
  • Present your findings in your team on 11 April 2017.
  • Use this presentation template

Identifying Social Enterprises

There are several options to identify a social enterprise for your case study:

Selecting Social Enterprises

Keep the following characteristics of social enterprises in mind for selecting appropriate ventures:

  • Explicit social aims – There is a clear social purpose which drives the organisation or business. This explicit social aim is core to the activities, rather than incidental.
  • Commercial activity – The venture will aim to derive a significant portion of its income from commercial activities such as the sale of goods and services to a market. The organisation may still however generate income from a variety of other sources such as grants etc.

In order to select which SE you are preparing a case study, you might consider the following aspects:

  • Does the SE work on a similar challenge as your team? (this is not mandatory for the case study, but it might help to learn how other people have approached the specific challenge)
  • Does the SE have a homepage with detailed information on the SE?
  • Do you find sufficient information on the SE in other secondary data sources (e.g. online publications and directories, journal articles, media in general, company databases)
  • Which SE do you personally find most interesting?

Please note:

  • You may contact the social entrepreneurs directly and ask for additional information to that you found in secondary sources. However, this is not mandatory due to the limited time frame.

Analyzing the Data

Use the case study template to summarize the information from secondary data sources. Concentrate on the main aspects. Please note that you may not find (sufficient) information on all aspects asked for in the case study template. Therefore chose your SE wisely. It is usually easier to find secondary data on larger SEs and SEs that are funded/supported by third-parties (e.g. Ashoka).

In your team, choose one of the following cross-cutting questions to compare your SE cases:

  • Do the SEs have a clear social vision and mission and how do they communicate those?
  • How can the SE’s relationships with internal and external stakeholders be characterized?
  • How and for whom do SEs measure their social impact?
  • Which strategies do the SEs pursue to cope with current challenges?

Please note:

  • Your team can also agree to use another cross-cutting question that you define within your team (provided that this question can be answered on the basis of the available information)
  • Discuss similarities and differences of the local cases with respect to the selected cross-cutting question. Reflect on what differentiates the SEs and in how far local conditions of the respective countries might be affecting them.

Time Frame,deadlines and evaluation