Designing organisational effectiveness in social entrepreneurial enterprises

Background: Fundamental principles that encourage problem solving are included in the intersection between design thinking and systems thinking. In this study, we examined if these principles contribute to the nature of organisational effectiveness (OE) in the context of a social enterprise. Aim: T...

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Main Authors: Adelaid M. Sheik, Thea J. Tselepis, Collin D. Reddy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2023-09-01
Series:The Southern African Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
Subjects:
Online Access:https://sajesbm.co.za/index.php/sajesbm/article/view/728
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author Adelaid M. Sheik
Thea J. Tselepis
Collin D. Reddy
author_facet Adelaid M. Sheik
Thea J. Tselepis
Collin D. Reddy
author_sort Adelaid M. Sheik
collection DOAJ
description Background: Fundamental principles that encourage problem solving are included in the intersection between design thinking and systems thinking. In this study, we examined if these principles contribute to the nature of organisational effectiveness (OE) in the context of a social enterprise. Aim: The objective of the study was to explore the nature of OE in social enterprises. Setting: This exploratory qualitative study investigated the OE of social enterprises in South Africa. Methods: A three-phased Delphi method was conducted by a panel of experts. Results: Our findings indicate that the principles for the OE of social enterprises include, in particular, good, just, and useful services and/or products, as well as a satisfying human experience. In the context of a social enterprise, OE is therefore about the mission and resources of the enterprise. The enterprise can be viewed as making an impact when satisfying human (community and/or beneficiary) needs through useful products or services designed for good, and when promoting just relationships among and ethical conduct by all stakeholders. Conclusion: The framework or principles for social enterprises’ OE may be used to guide leadership, governance of resources (such as finances), and training in solving ‘wicked problems’ in such ecosystems. It is recommended that social entrepreneurs also apply the framework. Contribution: This paper offers four principles that are applicable when systems thinking overlaps with design thinking to guide the OE of social enterprises.
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spelling doaj.art-d1aba6d346834eb28b881dd140428c1d2023-10-02T12:47:31ZengAOSISThe Southern African Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management2522-73432071-31852023-09-01151e1e910.4102/sajesbm.v15i1.728148Designing organisational effectiveness in social entrepreneurial enterprisesAdelaid M. Sheik0Thea J. Tselepis1Collin D. Reddy2Department of Business Management, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, JohannesburgSARChI: Entrepreneurship Education, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, JohannesburgDepartment of Business Management, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, JohannesburgBackground: Fundamental principles that encourage problem solving are included in the intersection between design thinking and systems thinking. In this study, we examined if these principles contribute to the nature of organisational effectiveness (OE) in the context of a social enterprise. Aim: The objective of the study was to explore the nature of OE in social enterprises. Setting: This exploratory qualitative study investigated the OE of social enterprises in South Africa. Methods: A three-phased Delphi method was conducted by a panel of experts. Results: Our findings indicate that the principles for the OE of social enterprises include, in particular, good, just, and useful services and/or products, as well as a satisfying human experience. In the context of a social enterprise, OE is therefore about the mission and resources of the enterprise. The enterprise can be viewed as making an impact when satisfying human (community and/or beneficiary) needs through useful products or services designed for good, and when promoting just relationships among and ethical conduct by all stakeholders. Conclusion: The framework or principles for social enterprises’ OE may be used to guide leadership, governance of resources (such as finances), and training in solving ‘wicked problems’ in such ecosystems. It is recommended that social entrepreneurs also apply the framework. Contribution: This paper offers four principles that are applicable when systems thinking overlaps with design thinking to guide the OE of social enterprises.https://sajesbm.co.za/index.php/sajesbm/article/view/728design thinkingorganisational effectivenesssystems thinkingsocial entrepreneurshipwicked problems
spellingShingle Adelaid M. Sheik
Thea J. Tselepis
Collin D. Reddy
Designing organisational effectiveness in social entrepreneurial enterprises
The Southern African Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
design thinking
organisational effectiveness
systems thinking
social entrepreneurship
wicked problems
title Designing organisational effectiveness in social entrepreneurial enterprises
title_full Designing organisational effectiveness in social entrepreneurial enterprises
title_fullStr Designing organisational effectiveness in social entrepreneurial enterprises
title_full_unstemmed Designing organisational effectiveness in social entrepreneurial enterprises
title_short Designing organisational effectiveness in social entrepreneurial enterprises
title_sort designing organisational effectiveness in social entrepreneurial enterprises
topic design thinking
organisational effectiveness
systems thinking
social entrepreneurship
wicked problems
url https://sajesbm.co.za/index.php/sajesbm/article/view/728
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