The Social Entrepreneur as a Promoter of Social Advancement

The purpose of the study is to clarify the concepts of social entrepreneur and to identify Latvia's social entrepreneurs in the context of entrepreneurship based on a review of scientific literature, a survey of social entrepreneurs and expert interviews. On the basis of an analysis of the scientific literature, a theoretical framework of entrepreneurial competences is created which forms the basis for the practical solution of the research problem. The survey method and the interview method was used for learning about a social entrepreneur's personal qualities and skills, main motives and opportunities to create social enterprises and to develop entrepreneurship, as well as to learn about the potential gains, risks and sustainability of development social enterprises. The results of the research indicate that, in order to promote social entrepreneurship, more attention should be paid to the training of social entrepreneurs within the framework of the education system, as well as the development and implementation of the conceptual action plan of the government, and also the provision of several support instruments. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.