Potential outcomes of work integration social enterprises for people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or transitioning out of homelessness
ISSN: 1750-8614
Article publication date: 21 December 2021
Issue publication date: 15 June 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Social enterprise has the potential to serve as a mechanism of social and economic opportunity for persons experiencing homelessness. This paper aims to identify potential outcomes of work integration social enterprises (WISEs) for people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or transitioning out of homelessness.
Design/methodology/approach
Searches of 14 databases were completed using keywords and subject headings pertaining to homelessness, social enterprise and employment, respectively. These searches were then combined to identify literature concerning WISEs with homeless populations. The initial search yielded 784 unique articles. Through screening, 29 articles were selected and independently coded to establish themes.
Findings
The analysis identified the potential for WISEs to contribute positively to the lives of the target population in the areas of connection to the community, employment skill building, mental health, personal agency and empowerment, relationship-building, structure and time use, financial stability and housing. There were less positive and mixed findings regarding substance use, crime/delinquency, physical health and transition to mainstream employment. Future research should further explore causal relationships between WISE approaches and strategies and their potential implications for persons emerging from homelessness.
Originality/value
Prior to this research, there have not been any recent publications that synthesize the existing body of literature to evaluate the potential outcomes of WISE participation for homeless populations. This paper lays the groundwork for future empirical studies.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge all stakeholders who were consulted for their contribution to this study. The authors thank the anonymous reviewers for their invaluable feedback on this paper. Many thanks to Dr. Carrie Marshall for laying the groundwork for this study and to our wider research team for their ongoing support: Jon Dunning, Ariana Nowickyj, Kathryn Palaic and Irene Poon.
Citation
Barton, S., Porter, H., Murphy, S. and Lysaght, R. (2022), "Potential outcomes of work integration social enterprises for people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or transitioning out of homelessness", Social Enterprise Journal, Vol. 18 No. 3, pp. 409-433. https://doi.org/10.1108/SEJ-07-2021-0054
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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