Module Specifications.
Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025
All Module information is indicative, and this portal is an interim interface pending the full upgrade of Coursebuilder and subsequent integration to the new DCU Student Information System (DCU Key).
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Date posted: September 2024
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Description The aim of the module is to provide an insight into the theory and practice of social enterprise development. The module will position social enterprise as part of the third sector and social economy - and it will consider definitions of social enterprise, the values that underpin the sector and its context - as part of the social economy. It will consider the origin and evolution of the concept and will provide an analysis of the development of social enterprises in Ireland, across the EU, and in the US. The policy context will be examined, as well as the support needs as well as challenges facing the sector. It aims to provide an insight into the practice of social enterprise development through analysis of case studies, inputs from guest speakers and group discussion. The module will examine how a social enterprise promoter (community or voluntary organisation) can progress a social enterprise concept from idea stage to trading stage and consolidation. This will provide an overview of feasibility study/business planning and specifically it will explore concepts of ‘viability’ and ‘market’ within a social enterprise context. It will also examine practices and considerations for social enterprises development and sustainability, and consider the role of such topics as effective leadership, community-ownership and control, accountability, governance, alliance building, procurement, and appropriate finance. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Learning Outcomes 1. Explain the concepts and perspectives of social enterprise and its context within the social economy 2. Analyse the distinctive features of social enterprises, the values which underpin them and the rationale for their development 3. Analyse the role of policy in shaping the development of social enterprises across Europe 4. Evaluate the conditions required for the social enterprise sector to develop 5. Explain the key elements of social enterprise development, from planning stage to trading 6. Identify the types and range of activities that social enterprises are engaged in across Europe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Social economyDefinitions, placing social enterprise in the context of the social economy and community developmentPolicy and social enterpriseEU policy (and examples of member state policy on social enterprise) National policy and recognition of social enterprise Drivers of policySocial enterprise and its historic evolutionThe evolution and development of the social enterprise concept Relationship to the co-operative sector Perspectives on social enterprise in the US and EuropeSocial enterprise – its status and development in EuropeProfile of the sector and employment levels across Europe Current issues – public procurement and social enterpriseAccountability and social enterpriseImportance of accountability, sources of accountability, legitimacy, practice in IrelandGovernance and social enterpriseDefinitions, theories of governance, implications for social enterprise and project developmentStrategic planning and social enterpriseTheories and perspectives on strategic planning; the strategic development process; implementing a strategic planMeasuring social impactRationale for social impact measurement, methods and tools (Social audit, SROI, LM3)Scaling up social enterpriseChallenges for social enterprises, models for scaling up and practices (social franchising)Project development and supports for social enterprise developmentSupport required at project level (including business planning at different stages of the project life cycle) and support required for the development of the sector, examples of support methodologies, availability of supports in Ireland and relationship to policy. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List
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Other Resources 14402, Conference, 0, Amin, A. (2001) ‘The UK social economy: panacea or problem?’, paper given at Euro conference on Social Capital : Interdisciplinary perspective, University of Exeter., 14400, Report, 0, Clarke, A., and Eustace, A. (2009) Exploring social enterprise in nine areas in Ireland. Report commissioned by PLANET., 15845, Report, Defourny, J. and Nyssens, M. (2008) Social Enterprise in Europe: recent trends and developments. Liège: EMES European Research Network, 0, 15846, Report, Defourny, J. and Nyssens, M. (2012) ‘The EMES approach of social enterprise in a comparative perspective’, EMES working paper no 12/03, 0, 15847, Report, Forfás (2013): Social enterprise In Ireland: Sectoral Opportunities and Policy issues. Dublin: Forfás, 0, 15848, Report, Monzón, J.L. and Chaves, R. (2012): The Social Economy in the European Union. Brussels: European Economic and Social Committee, 0, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||