The United Nations Millennium Development Goals (UN MDGs) are the only global political framework for international development collaboration. They include eight concrete goals, addressing various dimensions of development issues, to be achieved by 2015. The goals form the most important concept in achieving global sustainable development. MDG seven is directed at environmental sustainability, which is considered to be fundamental to achieve the other goals. The goals are very ambitious and the realisation of the single MDG targets is lacking. They can only be realised in a combined attack on all dimensions of development, in collaboration of stakeholders from all sectors and levels.
Social entrepreneurs are actors that address social problems at their roots and invent creative, entrepreneurial and sustainable methods to catalyse social change. They provide the tools that are required to tackle the world’s ills.
This thesis develops a conceptual theoretical framework on the still fragmented field of social entrepreneurship, on the UN MDGs and environmental sustainability. Based on this framework, a comparative qualitative case study is carried out. It analyses three successful social enterprises and evaluates their contribution to the achievement of the MDGs with regard to the goal of environmental sustainability. The social enterprises are contrasted with a business case to accentuate their differences respectively similarities and compares their impact on the millennium goals. The study confirms the value of the impact of social entrepreneurs for sustainable development and their potential to contributing on a large scale to the realisation of the UN MDGs.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Outline and Scope of the Thesis
- 1.1. Introduction to the Topic
- 1.2. Relevance of the Research and Objectives
- 1.3. A Roadmap for the Thesis
- Part I: Conceptual Framework
- 2. United Nations Millennium Development Goals
- 2.1. History and Development
- 2.2. Actors and Processes
- 2.3. Status quo and Perspectives
- 3. Social Entrepreneurship
- 3.1. History
- 3.2. Social Entrepreneur – the Actor
- 3.2.1. Interpreting the Term 'Social Entrepreneur'
- 3.2.2. Defining 'Social Entrepreneur'
- 3.2.3. Characteristics and Skills
- 3.2.4. Differentiation from Business Entrepreneurs and Other Actors
- 3.3. Social Entrepreneurship – the Process
- 3.4. Social Enterprise - the Outcome
- 3.5. Challenges for Social Entrepreneurs
- 4. Environmental Sustainability
- 4.1. Defining 'Sustainability'
- 4.2. Development of the Sustainability Paradigm
- 4.3. Status quo of Sustainable Development
- 4.4. The Path to Environmental Sustainability
- 4.5. MDG 7 - Ensure Environmental Sustainability
- 4.5.1. Water and Sanitation
- 4.5.2. Status quo
- 4.5.3. Recommendations
- 2. United Nations Millennium Development Goals
- Part II: Empirical Case Studies
- 5. Methodology
- 5.1. Research Design
- 5.2. Case Selection
- 5.3. Data Collection
- 5.4. Data Analysis
- 6. Case Studies
- 6.1. Gram Vikas
- 6.2. World Toilet Organization
- 6.3. DMT Mobile Toilets
- 6.4. Unilever
- 5. Methodology
- Part III: Analysis
- 7. Comparative Analysis
- 7.1. Mission and Motivation
- 7.2. Enterprise Model
- 7.3. Overall Impact
- 7.4. Replicability
- 7.5. Contribution to the Achievement of the UN MDGs
- 7. Comparative Analysis
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This thesis aims to develop a theoretical framework on social entrepreneurship, the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and environmental sustainability. It then uses this framework to conduct a comparative qualitative case study analyzing three successful social enterprises and their contribution to achieving the MDGs, specifically MDG 7 (environmental sustainability). A business case is also included for comparison.
- The role of social entrepreneurs in achieving the UN MDGs.
- A comparative analysis of social enterprises and traditional businesses.
- The contribution of social entrepreneurs to environmental sustainability.
- The development of a conceptual framework for understanding social entrepreneurship in the context of sustainable development.
- The challenges and opportunities faced by social entrepreneurs.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Outline and Scope of the Thesis: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the thesis, outlining its scope and objectives. It introduces the concept of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), focusing on MDG 7 (environmental sustainability), and explains the role of social entrepreneurs in achieving these goals. The chapter establishes the research questions and methodology used in the study, providing a roadmap for the subsequent chapters. The relevance of the research is clearly established, highlighting the gap in existing literature and the need for a deeper understanding of social entrepreneurs' contributions to sustainable development.
2. United Nations Millennium Development Goals: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the UN MDGs, their historical development, and the actors and processes involved in their implementation. It delves into the complexities of achieving these ambitious goals, highlighting the interconnectedness of the various targets and the challenges in realizing them. A detailed discussion of MDG 7 (environmental sustainability) is presented, analyzing its importance and the current state of progress. The chapter lays a solid foundation for understanding the context within which social entrepreneurs operate.
3. Social Entrepreneurship: This chapter explores the multifaceted concept of social entrepreneurship. It traces its historical development, defines the term "social entrepreneur," and distinguishes it from business entrepreneurs and other actors. Key characteristics and skills of social entrepreneurs are identified and analyzed. The chapter also describes the processes involved in social entrepreneurship and the challenges faced by these actors. It establishes a theoretical framework for understanding the unique contributions of social entrepreneurs to social change.
4. Environmental Sustainability: This chapter delves into the concept of environmental sustainability, defining the term and tracing the evolution of the sustainability paradigm. It examines the current status of sustainable development, exploring the challenges and opportunities. A detailed analysis of MDG 7, with its specific targets related to water and sanitation, is presented, highlighting the importance of environmental sustainability in achieving broader development goals. The chapter connects the theoretical framework of sustainability with the practical realities of achieving environmental goals.
5. Methodology: This chapter outlines the research design and methods employed in the thesis. It explains the selection of case studies, the data collection techniques, and the data analysis procedures used to evaluate the contribution of social entrepreneurs to the achievement of the UN MDGs. The chapter provides a justification for the qualitative research approach chosen and ensures the rigor and transparency of the research process.
6. Case Studies: This chapter presents detailed case studies of four organizations: Gram Vikas, World Toilet Organization, DMT Mobile Toilets, and Unilever (as a contrasting business case). Each case study provides a comprehensive description of the organization's mission, activities, and impact. The chapter meticulously documents how each organization contributes, or fails to contribute, to the achievement of the MDGs, particularly MDG 7, and highlights the nuances of their approaches to solving environmental problems.
7. Comparative Analysis: This chapter provides a comparative analysis of the case studies, examining their missions, enterprise models, overall impact, replicability, and contributions to achieving the UN MDGs. It identifies common themes and contrasting approaches, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of different models of social entrepreneurship. The analysis synthesizes the findings from the individual case studies to draw broader conclusions about the potential and limitations of social entrepreneurship in achieving sustainable development goals.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Social entrepreneurship, UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), environmental sustainability, sustainable development, social enterprise, case studies, qualitative research, comparative analysis, impact assessment, water and sanitation.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this thesis?
This thesis examines the role of social entrepreneurship in achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), with a particular focus on MDG 7 (environmental sustainability). It develops a theoretical framework, conducts comparative case studies of successful social enterprises, and analyzes their contributions to sustainable development.
What are the key themes explored in the thesis?
Key themes include the role of social entrepreneurs in achieving the UN MDGs, a comparative analysis of social enterprises and traditional businesses, the contribution of social entrepreneurs to environmental sustainability, the development of a conceptual framework for understanding social entrepreneurship in the context of sustainable development, and the challenges and opportunities faced by social entrepreneurs.
What is the structure of the thesis?
The thesis is structured into three parts: Part I establishes a conceptual framework by exploring the UN MDGs, social entrepreneurship, and environmental sustainability. Part II presents a detailed methodology and four empirical case studies of social enterprises (including a comparative business case). Part III provides a comparative analysis of these case studies, examining their missions, models, impact, replicability, and contribution to the MDGs.
Which case studies are included in the thesis?
The thesis includes case studies of four organizations: Gram Vikas, World Toilet Organization, DMT Mobile Toilets, and Unilever (as a contrasting business case). These case studies are analyzed to understand their approaches to achieving sustainable development goals, particularly related to water and sanitation (MDG 7).
What methodology is used in the thesis?
The thesis employs a qualitative research approach, utilizing a comparative case study design. The methodology includes case selection, data collection techniques, and data analysis procedures to evaluate the contribution of social entrepreneurs to achieving the UN MDGs. The research design and methods are explained in detail within the text.
What are the key findings or conclusions of the thesis (as previewed)?
The preview doesn't provide specific findings, but it suggests a comparative analysis will identify common themes and contrasting approaches among the case studies, highlighting strengths and weaknesses of different social entrepreneurship models in achieving sustainable development. The analysis will synthesize findings to draw broader conclusions about the potential and limitations of social entrepreneurship.
What are the keywords associated with this thesis?
Keywords include: Social entrepreneurship, UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), environmental sustainability, sustainable development, social enterprise, case studies, qualitative research, comparative analysis, impact assessment, water and sanitation.
What is the purpose of the "Chapter Summaries" section?
The chapter summaries provide a concise overview of the content and focus of each chapter in the thesis, outlining the key arguments and findings presented within each section. This helps the reader to understand the overall flow and structure of the research.
For whom is this thesis intended?
While the preview doesn't explicitly state the intended audience, the academic nature of the work, its focus on detailed methodology and conceptual frameworks, suggests it is primarily intended for academic use, researchers, and students interested in social entrepreneurship, sustainable development, and the UN Millennium Development Goals.
- Citar trabajo
- Alexandra Lau (Autor), 2007, Social Entrepreneurs as Agents for Environmental Sustainability, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/121369
