going global 2016: social enterprise in a global context: the role of higher education institutions
TRANSCRIPT
Research findings Allice Hocking and Judith Reynolds
Social Enterprise in a global context: the role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
Background to the study The British Council commissioned Plymouth University to conduct global research to identify the benefits and challenges of partnership between HEIs and SEs.
Context • Growing interest in Social Enterprise amongst students • HEIs increasingly focusing on employability skills • UK HEIs engaged in social enterprise activity • Little known about global HEIs and social enterprise
Methods • Literature Review • Mapping of HEIs • Online Survey • Interviews
Study countries There were 12 countries included in the research:
Canada Mexico UK
South Africa Greece
Kenya Slovenia
Pakistan
East India
Thailand Hong Kong
California
• Widespread activity: 75% of HEIs engaged in some level of SE activity.
• Wide level of interest: 77% of those not working with SE intended to
• International: Most activity in own country but over half (52%) involved in international SE activity
• Scale: 24% had 17 or more active partnerships with SEs • Geographical differences:
Highest concentration in Hong Kong and Kenya, followed by UK and Mexico
Key findings: scale of activity
Social Enterprise activity by country
Activity varied: • Joint activity with a SE • Facilities and expertise • Incubation space • Student led SE • Underpinning curriculum • Purchasing of products
Motivations: • Part of HEI strategy • Addressing need • Improving student experience
Key findings: type of activity
The Social Enterprise advantage HEIs Students Partners Communities
Enhanced profile
Employability skills
Access to expertise and facilities
Social and economic improvement
Funding and research potential
Understanding social issues
Product and intellectual property development
Increased self-reliance
Attracting students
Entrepreneurial development
Networking and visibility
• Understanding and impetus from Senior Management
• Sourcing and sustaining appropriate funding • Identifying, training and making time for staff
to deliver • Working with partners • Building understanding
with social enterprise networks locally and internationally
Doing Social Enterprise better
• Opportunity for enhanced research activity • Build on the experience of student social
entrepreneurs • Create international partnerships for student and
staff exchanges • Work with communities to identify key
developmental issues
Creating forward momentum