Social Entrepreneurship as a Sustainable Business Approach in Theory and in Practice

A sustainable business approach has been considered during several past years by experts as well as public opinion as one of the necessary preconditions for future business economic development. Under the wing of the sustainability concept social entrepreneurship activities are getting more and more attention. These activities are progressing and developing and as examples there are activities such as business entrepreneurship mindset, processes, tools for pursuit of social and environment mission, etc. Therefore, social enterprises are valued as subjects for recognizing and engaging the opportunities for creating a sustainable business (and social) value. Since in some countries or regions the social entrepreneurship model is still quite a new topic for local entrepreneurial communities the purpose of this research is to analyze and point out the most important findings about social entrepreneurship. Special emphasis is focused on a selected area of challenges which have to be faced by social enterprises. This paper is based on an exploratory qualitative and quantitative research which findings help to understand and explain the phenomenon of social entrepreneurship and its place within the context of sustainable business behavior. A practical insight was made among a sample of existing social enterprises in a chosen country which results will be used in further research in the area of social entrepreneurship and sustainability.