Motivations for social entrepreneurship

The purpose of this study is to identify and understand the reasons underpinning the decision to opt for social entrepreneurship as a business model. With this in mind, the methodology used involves carrying out an exploratory analysis structured in three stages. First, the Delphi method is applied to identify the main reasons motivating such a decision, with the aid of 20 experts in social entrepreneurship. Next, we analyse the assessment given both by these experts and a group of 21 social entrepreneurs, on the importance of the motivating factors identified in this decision. Finally, a comparative analysis of the assessments of each group is performed to detect any significant differences in their perceptions. Among the results obtained, most noteworthy is the consensus concerning the intensity of motivating factors relating to self-realisation, to fulfilling a dream driven by an extraordinary passion. On the other hand, there is discrepancy among experts and social entrepreneurs concerning the incidence of ideological motivating factors, based on a deep-rooted social awareness, along with economic and occupational factors.