Social Enterprises in the City Setting:A Study of Hong Kong, Taiwan and
Singapore (2006)
An initiative of the CAFO network
Presented byDr Gillian Koh
Senior Research FellowInstitute of Policy Studies, Singapore
Objectives• Comparative review of the social enterprise
sector in three Asian cities
• Assess impact
• Identify challenges
• Propose measures to increase SE impact in Asia
End game: social inclusion and development
Outline
What is success? Performance
Why the success? Innovation
How to grow further success? Capital
Models of Social Enterprises
• Work Integration, Social Inclusion MentalCare Connect, HK Mobile Cleaning Crew, St James’
Settlement, HK Sunshine Car Wash, Taipei Syinlu Foundation Gas Stations, Taipei Bizlink, Singapore Ikhlas Catering, Singapore
Models of Social Enterprises
• Empowerment St James’ Settlement, HK Information Technology Resource
Centre, HK Taiwan After-Care Association, Taipei Cultural and Educational Foundation
for the Blind, Taipei TYEM, Singapore
Models of Social Enterprises
• IntermediationSenior Citizen Home Safety Association, HKLong-Yan-Lin Community Development
Association, TaiwanSCORE, Singapore
The resource mobilisation strategy is a common
but not usually a stand-alone objective.
PerformanceProfit or sustainability?• Profits
Resource mobilisationDiscipline and accountabilityMotivationSustainable innovation
• Sustainability, and other bottom-linesRecidivismWork placementEmpowerment and self-relianceCommunity-building
Performance
Limitations of the profit-based bottom line
• Cultural context – discounted rates
• Low risk, low returns business
• Nature of the beneficiary base
A different, not level playing field
Performance
• Employment in an SE, a middle station between unemployment and employment in the mainstream economy
Bizlink, Sunshine, Syinlu and Foundation for the Blind
• Innovation
• Special licensing
Performance
Points to consider in weighing performance:
• Sustainability, not profit
• Meaningful but measurable social goals
• A different, rather than a level playing field
Innovation
Sources and forms of innovation• Role of the Government
Licensing and new marketsSeed fundingVendor / client
• The Social InnovatorsNew marketNew processNew context
Innovation
Challenges
• Competition
• Need for constant innovation
• Are social workers up to the challenge?
• Can business leaders be persuaded to take it up?
• Capacity-building much needed
Innovation
• The source and force of innovation can come from anywhere including the Government
• Constant innovation needed in a competitive city setting
• Business and strategic planning is needed too
Capital
Bottomless pit or virtuous circle?
• Concept of SE avoids the bottomless pit syndrome
• Sources of funding– The Government– Philanthropists– Good CSR
How about an innovation to fund innovation?
Capital
• Exploring the idea of a social venture fund– Business discipline and accountability– Capacity-building– Mentoring– The Cash
Conclusion
• In developed urban economies, SE more focused on work and social integration
• Think of creating ‘new’ playing fields• Weigh performance differently from
businesses and VWOs• Need constant innovation because of
competition• Can social venture funds help to grow the
sector?
Thank You