The Role of Joiners in Social Entrepreneurship: More Than “Simple” Employees, Jorge Navarro-Dols, Dr José L. González-Pernía
Jorge Navarro-Dols
PhD Candidate
Deusto Business School, University of Deusto
Mundaitz Kalea, 50, 20012 Donostia, Gipuzkoa
Spain
Dr José L. González-Pernía
Associate Professor
Deusto Business School, University of Deusto
Mundaitz Kalea, 50, 20012 Donostia, Gipuzkoa
Spain
Paper Type: Case Study
Received: 21 November 2023 / Revised: 16 April 2024 / Accepted: 18 April 2024 / Published: 30 November 2024
DOI: 10.47556/J.WJEMSD.20.2.2024.6
Purpose: Until recently, most of the literature on social entrepreneurship has focused on the role of the individual entrepreneur who launches a social venture. This article aims to emphasise a collective perspective by analysing the role of “joiners”, i.e., the individuals involved in social entrepreneurship as the first employees or volunteers of a social venture.
Design/Methodology: This study employed a qualitative approach. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with seven social ventures operating in the gastronomy sector in Spain.
Findings: Three main ideas emerged from the analysis. First, joiners contribute to social ventures by assuming increased responsibility and participating in shared leadership roles. Second, the pursuit of financing becomes more structured over time with the participation of joiners. Finally, joiners engaged in social ventures evolve from being individuals primarily driven by a pro-social motivation to being professionals who increasingly use sophisticated working methods that help to improve the value proposition.
Research limitations: The research context is focused on the gastronomy sector and geographically limited to Spain.
Originality and value: This research contributes to the existing literature on social entrepreneurship by offering a novel perspective that shifts the focus from the individual entrepreneur to a broader collective view that considers the role of joiners who become part of the social ventures.
Keywords: Social Entrepreneurship; Entrepreneurs; Joiners; Sustainability; Gastronomy Sector; Spain.
Citation: Navarro-Dols, J. and González-Pernía, J.L. (2024): The Role of Joiners in Social Entrepreneurship: More Than “Simple” Employees. World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 20, No. 2, pp.175-196.
