Capitalism in question: Hill, Addams and Follett as early social entrepreneurship advocates

Abstract

Purpose

This article aims to depict the pivotal role Octavia Hill, Jane Addams and Mary Parker Follett played in the field of social entrepreneurship. The article aims to examine the contributions made by these remarkable women who made valuable theoretical and practical contributions to the emerging field of social entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

Synthesizing articles from history journals, writings about the figures of interest, published works by the figures themselves and other resources, this paper illustrates how Hill, Addams and Follett made valuable contributions to social entrepreneurship and questioned the rectitude of unadulterated capitalism.

Findings

This paper concludes that Hill, Addams and Follett refuted the viewpoint that self-interest and single-minded self-survival were the best ways to live and to conduct business. By their actions, the women showed that they did indeed bring “capitalism in question”, by recognizing the importance of seeking others’ interests.

Originality/value

This article highlights the contributions made by Hill, Addams and Follett, who made valuable contributions in the field of social entrepreneurship which is made evident by their work with housing settlements, community center development, etc.

Citation

C. Prieto, L. and T.A. Phipps, S. (2014), "Capitalism in question: Hill, Addams and Follett as early social entrepreneurship advocates", Journal of Management History, Vol. 20 No. 3, pp. 266-277. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMH-08-2013-0039