ME2826 Social Entrepreneurship 7.5 credits

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the context of social innovation and social entrepreneurship. Through project work students will increase their understanding of various theories and practices from the field, while being exposed to the action-oriented skills required for developing and implementing a social innovation and/or creating the social-oriented new venture.

In our society social needs are addressed in a variety of different ways. Some of these needs are addressed mainly through public organisations, some in private spheres through associations or businesses, and others in informal organisations or maybe not at all. As changes occur in our society, the current practices we use to meet our needs will not necessarily be the same practices we use to meet our needs in the future. In response, a number of initiatives are emerging. The creation of these new initiatives is the focus of this course.

Social innovation involves the identification of new problems and finding new solutions for action, individually or collectively. Entrepreneurship, as the process of developing and carrying out these initiatives, focuses on creating new ‘worlds’, in how we discuss these with others, and finally how we actually carry out concrete activities. Social innovation and entrepreneurship (sometimes) involve logics from different sectors of society (Non-profit and voluntary sector, Public sector and Private sector). During the course, ethical, moral and normative issues will be considered as contextual and contingent, to be related to practical examples and project work.

The course’s key topics are:

1. Social Entrepreneurship
2. Norms, ethics and well-being
3. Corporate Social Responsibility
4. Public Relations
5. Not-for profit business models

Upon completing the course, students should be able to:

• Explain and discuss the concepts of social entrepreneurship and its different shapes, and problematize the social impact of the enterprise, and/or the non-profit/NGO sector and its history.
• Explain the concept and history of corporate social responsibility (CSR)
• Evaluate the contextual and contingent effects on society by business and
• Evaluate the contextual and contingent effects on business by society
• Identify usage of Public Relations planning and execution among social ventures
• Develop advanced not-for-profit business models and Public Relations planning

Students must have a minimum of 120 university points.

Information om kurslitteratur kommer att delges anmälda studenter innan kursstart.

Literature will be announced in connection to the start of the course and communicated to enrolled participants.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• PRO1 - Project, 7.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

The students grade will depend on:

• Participation
• Literature exam
• Reading assignments
• Case project (group report)

Grading scale:

Students that successfully complete an SSES course will be graded according to the course syllabus.

Attendance is compulsory.

Terrence Brown

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Replaces ME2804

The course language is English.

The course is offered within the framework of the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship.

Responsible institution: Stockholm University (SU)

Course director: Jessica Lindbergh, jessica.lindbergh@sbs.su.se

Queries can be addressed to SSES Education coordinator registrar@sses.se