This course examines how to create, develop, and scale the impact of high-performing social enterprises – whether for- profit, nonprofit or hybrid organisations. Unlike the business world where most stakeholders agree on the definition of success and are driven by market forces, managers of social enterprises must have the ability to navigate through multiple and often conflicting goals, fragmented capital markets, diverse funding sources, and complex challenges of defining and measuring performance. Disciplined, strategic management and leadership are critical. Students will focus on the skills necessary for building organisations, and reshaping the ecosystems they inhabit, to address societal problems and seize social opportunities more effectively. This course will also examine the importance of measuring the impact of social enterprise. Social impact measurement aims to assess the social value and impact produced by the activities or operations of any for-profit or nonprofit organisation. Although any business can have a social impact, nonprofit organisations and social enterprises are specifically designed to create social value while addressing social challenges and are, therefore, expected to produce social impact.
In addition to these core themes, the course touches on the nature of capital and funding markets and on governance issues, examining leadership and management challenges from the perspective of investors, grantmakers, and board members. The programme draws on cases from diverse industries – such as health, education, environment, youth services, poverty alleviation, and impact investing – as a basis for identifying general leadership lessons that cut across industries. The course also includes conversations with social sector leaders at various stages of their careers, – from start-up social entrepreneurs to leaders of established non-profit organisations. These conversations offer an opportunity to explore emerging issues, discuss career paths, and anticipate future directions.