Scoping the value, reach and potential of social enterprises in the Sheffield City Region
Working with Sheffield Social Enterprise Network (SSEN), this project analyses the state of the social enterprise sector in the Sheffield City Region.
About the project
Working with Sheffield Social Enterprise Network (SSEN), this project will analyse the state of the social enterprise sector in the Sheffield City Region. With Sheffield having achieved Social Enterprise Place status by Social Enterprise UK in 2022, the project draws on the success to support the further development of social enterprises. Thus, the project aims to scope the value, reach and potential of social enterprises in the City Region. This will enable the assessment and highlighting the impact of social enterprise and providing insights on best practice for social enterprises as well as identifying further support for social enterprise.
Theoretical background to the project
Lightly drawing upon several different theoretical approaches and academic literature the project explores Sheffield as a ‘social enterprise place’. Thus, empirical work connects and draws on geographical and place-based perspectives on social entrepreneurship (see for example, Amin et al., 2002). This work stresses the importance of place and context both physical but also cultural and social in the consideration of (social) entrepreneurship. Dovetailing with such approaches this project draws on the Community Capitals Framework (Emery & Flora 2006) for its analytic approach. The Community Capitals Framework breaks contextual factors into seven components available to a community:
- Natural capital - the natural assets/resources of a community such as water (quality and quantity), air, soil, flora and fauna, biodiversity, landscapes and natural beauty.
- Human capital – the skills, knowledge and wider capabilities of individuals in a community.
- Social capital – the connections among people and organisations.
- Political capital – the access of individuals and communities to power and power structures.
- Cultural capital - the way people ‘know the world’ and how they act within it.
- Financial capital – the financial resources held, available and circulating in a community.
- Built/physical capital - the physical ‘hard’ wealth, assets, and infrastructure of a community (e.g., buildings).
The research approach and insights
Working closely with SSEN with the research team at SUMS draws on existing quantitative data from SSEN as well as collecting new data and insights which is done via a dedicated survey tool and interviews, focus groups. The research process it still ongoing but some initial insight highlights a sector that is agile and resilient, innovative, and embedded within respective communities. At the same time, the sector can further strengthen the contribution it makes via assistance with developing sustainable business models, access to resources, understanding their impact, and overcoming labour market challenges.
A preliminary report based in initial findings is available upon request and further insight will be disseminated via SSEN.
Key research outputs
- Littlewood, D., Ljubownikow, S., Ngo, T., & Huang, S. (2024). "A social enterprise place": Insights on the state, impact, and potential of Sheffield's social enterprise sector, Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship Conference 2024, Sheffield Hallam University.
- Littlewood, D., Ljubownikow, S., Mirfin-Boukouris, H., & Sepulveda, I.E.P. (2023). Assessing the state, impact, and potential of Sheffield's social enterprise community, International Social Innovation Research Conference 2023, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Azurém, Guimarães, September 6-8th.
