The International Handbook of Social Enterprise Law: Benefit Corporations and Other Purpose-Driven Companies

This open-access book explores the status of social enterprises, benefit corporations, and other purpose-driven companies, combining law, philosophy, history, sociology, and economics to provide valuable insights on fostering social entrepreneurship and advancing the common good. It offers an overview of the social enterprise movement, the emergence of benefit corporations, and the status quo of purpose-driven companies in developed and emerging economies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 960 pages
Publication date: 18 January 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This comprehensive open-access book brings together a diverse group of international experts who offer fresh perspectives on the status of social enterprises, benefit corporations, and other purpose-driven companies. The individual chapters adopt a multidisciplinary approach, drawing from law, philosophy, history, sociology, and economics, to provide invaluable insights into fostering social entrepreneurship and advancing the common good. Over the past few years, we have witnessed a remarkable transformation in the way businesses operate, primarily driven by the emergence of social enterprises. These organizations are driven by a mission to address social issues at their core, employing a holistic approach that considers ethical, social, and environmental factors. A wide range of social enterprise models are emerging globally, demonstrating their vitality and significance. However, there remains a need to clarify the definition of "social enterprise" and explore its roots. This handbook aims to address these questions from a theoretical, historical, and comparative perspective, featuring 44 contributions written by 71 esteemed expert researchers and practitioners in the field. The first part provides a comprehensive overview of the social enterprise movement, its evolution, and the various forms these entities can take to address global challenges, surpassing the limitations of governments and states. The second part delves into the rise of benefit corporations and the growing importance of sustainability and societal values, while also examining their distinct legal structures and their adaptability to their regulatory environments. In turn, the last part presents the status of purpose-driven companies in 36 developed and emerging economies worldwide. This handbook serves as a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and anyone interested in understanding the evolving landscape of social entrepreneurship and its impact on society.

Weight: 1613g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031142154
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023