Much has been said about the social enterprise and much has
been debated. It’s supposed to be the new wave of the future. But the arguments
leave me confused. Totally.
What I understand and realize is this : When Carnegie came
out with his Corporate Charity, later taking on the avatar of Corporate Social
responsibility, to me that was the foundation of the social enterprise.
When an organization manufactures products, I feel there are
two kinds of products that emerge:
1. Economic products or commercial products.
Products which are bought and sold for a profit and which are normally counted
as growing the shareholder value.
2. But,
in addition, there are also social
products which are generated alongside. Products which maybe intangible,
which may be detrimental and which, if created knowingly, with positive intent,
can contribute to the social environment thereby also contributing to the stake
holder value. Today, these products also exist, mostly as by-products of our
manufacturing or production process. And today, these are mainly detrimental.
The Social enterprise then, should look like a enterprise dealing
in or working with the second category of products, that which have a positive value
and therefore support the cause of sustainability and quality of life. These
maybe in the area of food, energy, health, lifestyle, any aspect of our human
life as we know it today. The success measurement of such products could be in
terms of the natural resources they save or enhance, and the positive impact
they create on our lives and that of our fellow men.
I think the call to
action for our business leaders is very clear !
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