Social Entrepreneurship
Duration
- One Semester or equivalent
Contact hours
- 36 hours
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.
Aims and objectives
The aim of this unit of study is to help students develop a better understanding of the role of the social enterprise and entrepreneurial activity in creating diverse forms of value that help sustain our communities and societies. The unit explores how social entrepreneurs apply traditional (private-sector) entrepreneurship focus on innovation, risk taking and large scale transformation to social problem solving in the social enterprise sector. Besides learning about theory and practice of social entrepreneurs, students will be engaged in active learning by using practical tools for starting a social venture.
After successfully completing this unit of study, students should be able to:
- Critically analyse and apply theories and information drawn from literature, research and personal experience to develop a personal model of social entrepreneurship and innovation.
- Analyse and reflect on the essentials of social and financial value creation and apply scale up strategies for a social enterprise.
- Self-reflect to build self-awareness, identify personal ethical stance and develop experiential learning skills in relation to social entrepreneurship.
- Refine communication skills and apply using a variety of communication styles and media to inform, persuade and inspire others to build shared understanding and stakeholder commitment toward common goals, creating social and financial value.
- Communicate proficiently and in a professional context and work effectively as a member of a diverse team
Courses with unit
This unit no longer offered however a suggested alternative could be SIP60003
This unit is part of the Social Impact degrees in Swinburne’s Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship.
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment, general skills outcomes and content.
Teaching methods
The unit is offered either weekly or in block mode. Weekly mode comprises 12 sessions of 3 hours over a 12 week semester. Block mode comprises 6 fortnightly sessions of 6 hours over a 12 week semester. Total workload for student is 12 hours per week.
Assessment
1. Social Enterprise Project Report (Individual) 50-60%
2. Social Enterprise Project Report (Group) 20-30%
3. Presentation (Individual) 10-20%
4. Presentation (Group) 10-20%
2. Social Enterprise Project Report (Group) 20-30%
3. Presentation (Individual) 10-20%
4. Presentation (Group) 10-20%
General skills outcomes
- Entrepreneurial skills in contributing to innovation and development within your (social) business, workplace or community
- Leadership skills
- Sustainability skills for effective and ethical behaviour in work and community situations
- Adaptable and able to manage change
- Skills to manage innovation networks
- Social marketing (online) and communication skills
- Stakeholder management, network and group skills
Content
- Concepts of social entrepreneurship, social enterprise and the role of sustainability.
- Impact of social entrepreneurship on economies and markets, international perspective.
- Business ethics, corporate social responsibility: Complete vision framework.
- Open Innovation and disruptive innovation for social change through brand communities, networks and alliances.
- Business models for social enterprise development and growth.
Study resources
- Reading materials.
Reading materials
Students are advised to check the unit outline in the relevant teaching period for appropriate textbooks and further reading.