In pursuit of social purpose and impact: a review of the state of social entrepreneurship and avenues for future research

Purpose – This paper aims to contribute to better understanding the nuances of the purposeful pursuit that social entrepreneurs have for social good, and how the enterprises they establish experience challenges that differ from traditional corporations. Design/methodology/approach – A systematic literature review examines current literature on social enterprises’ value creation to identify themes in how social enterprises pursue social purpose and impact. This is examined through the lens of the motivation, ability and opportunity (MAO) model. Findings – Through thematic network analysis, five organising themes emerged: hybrid mission, the entrepreneurial life, the significance of co-creation, resource scarcity and place-based benefits. This paper also reveals avenues for future research on what sustains social entrepreneurial life, exploring the differences between entrepreneurs’ competencies – viewed as resources – and their dynamic capabilities, authentic co-creation with beneficiaries and balancing tensions between place-based benefits and scalability. Originality/value – This paper provides a more nuanced and person-centred understanding of the challenges social enterprises face, highlighting the distinct nature of their purposeful pursuit of social good. It also positions avenues for future research and focuses on the lived experiences of social entrepreneurship.