Understanding Opportunity in Social Entrepreneurship as Paradigm Interplay

Abstract

The chapter aims to enhance our understanding of “opportunity” in the context of social entrepreneurship through a paradigm interplay juxtaposing a functionalist thematic analysis and interpretivist sensemaking. This paradigmatic contrasting identifies differences and connections in the tensions of: linearity and simplicity/dynamism and complexity; forward/backward, generalizability/situated relationality, and value-laden/value-neutral. These contrasts deepen our understanding of “opportunity” so that the theoretical and practical implications can be seen.

Citation

Diochon, M., Durepos, G. and Anderson, A.R. (2011), "Understanding Opportunity in Social Entrepreneurship as Paradigm Interplay", Lumpkin, G.T. and Katz, J.A. (Ed.) Social and Sustainable Entrepreneurship (Advances in Entrepreneurship, Firm Emergence and Growth, Vol. 13), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 73-110. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1074-7540(2011)0000013008