Distinguished Speaker: G. T. Lumpkin, U. of Oklahoma
Moderator: Sophie Catherine Bacq, Northeastern U.
Distinguished Speaker: Thomas J. Donaldson, The Wharton School, U. of Pennsylvania
Distinguished Speaker: Helen Haugh, U. of Cambridge
Discussant: Henry Mintzberg, McGill U.
|
| Is civil society an “actor” that management and entrepreneurship researchers are ignoring? Why is a growing chorus of scholars arguing that a civic level of analysis is crucial for understanding the impact of social change initiatives? How can a focus on civil society help understand and measure the impact (intended, unintended) of entrepreneurs, managers, organizations and industries on their communities? This PDW addresses these and other issues, along with the potential benefits and challenges associated with researching civil society and civic-level phenomena. Because many types of social change efforts are community-oriented, it follows that the level of analysis suggested by the very broad term “social” can be substantially narrowed. We believe a “civic” level of analysis is an appropriate designation for research that parsimoniously captures the variety of settings that are the focus of many social change initiatives— villages, neighborhoods, communities, and networks such as online communities where shared experiences create a common bond. With regard to civil society, we will expand the conversation about the nature of social impact to include, alongside public interests (government) and private interests (market), the interests of a third major sector in society. By so doing, we will draw attention to the role of local participation and citizenship, and to a sense of responsibility for others that goes beyond strictly economic considerations. |