Most would think that the heightened difficulty to create social change in China caused by regulations on charitable foundations would be a handicap for those who are trying to make a difference there, but in reality, it seems to be strengthening them. The rise of social entrepreneurship in China is very interesting in that it promotes this innovative model of helping people while at the same time making sure that these projects can be self-sustainable.
Throughout Dr. Norton's presentation I could not help but think that the concept of social entrepreneurship would do well in the US like it has in China, primarily on political standpoint. Something that has had plenty of debate in Washington, especially in the past couple of years, is the necessity of certain government run programs that are set up to provide relief to those who have fallen into hard times. One side of the debate is dedicated to the idea that although it would be ideal to help these people, many of the eligible candidates for said relief might be catching a free ride on the government's dollar. I am not debating which side of the argument is correct, however, maybe social entrepreneurship could a solution for a solid compromise. It wouldn't be able to replace the existing programs at their current scale, but I don't think it would be too far fetched for the future of welfare, food stamps, or Medicare to be partially self-sustainable, thus reducing government spending and maintaining the level of good that can be done for the American people.
Michael Norton, who would consider himself a serial social entrepreneur explained how social entrepreneurship is possible in China and how it can even help solve problems in China. A Social enterprise is an invention used to solve a key social problem. Some of these problems include demographic and environmental problems that China currently faces due to the ever expanding economic activity and the immense population. China doesn't have a ton of nonprofit organizations established, but that is not a deterring factor. Social enterprises use business practices to have the largest positive social impact. Another key aspect of a successful social enterprise is creating the most positive impact for the most amount of people in as many ways as possible. In essence, the greatest good for the greatest amount. He explained a social enterprise that was already established in China, Shokay. It is a social enterprise that aims to increase local Tibetan’s low average annual income by increasing the value of yak down, an very abundant and valuable material that comes from the enormous yak population in Tibet. Shokay buys yak fibers at a fair and decent price from yak herders in Tibet to make clothing, which is then sold to the public. This social enterprise then uses a percentage of its revenues to further support work in rural areas and promote the yak fiber.
There are still areas where China needs to improve, including further developing its' infrastructure.Laws and regulations or in general there needs to be more legal clarity and transparency in order to open and create more social enterprises. Social franchising is important way to spread positive social change as well as increase the number of social enterprises.
Also, In class we had the pleasure of having a presentation from Michael Norton about social entrepreneurship in general. All it really takes is a good idea, support, and the drive it actually take the first steps to making your idea a reality. Michael has been doing solving social problems through social enterprises most of his career and I find it fascinating. This idea doesn't just work in the US, or China, or India. There are social problems all over the world, in every country that needs to be solved and they can be solved through people like me or anyone with the determination to make a positive social change and the right skill set to do it.
Most would think that the heightened difficulty to create social change in China caused by regulations on charitable foundations would be a handicap for those who are trying to make a difference there, but in reality, it seems to be strengthening them. The rise of social entrepreneurship in China is very interesting in that it promotes this innovative model of helping people while at the same time making sure that these projects can be self-sustainable.
ReplyDeleteThroughout Dr. Norton's presentation I could not help but think that the concept of social entrepreneurship would do well in the US like it has in China, primarily on political standpoint. Something that has had plenty of debate in Washington, especially in the past couple of years, is the necessity of certain government run programs that are set up to provide relief to those who have fallen into hard times. One side of the debate is dedicated to the idea that although it would be ideal to help these people, many of the eligible candidates for said relief might be catching a free ride on the government's dollar. I am not debating which side of the argument is correct, however, maybe social entrepreneurship could a solution for a solid compromise. It wouldn't be able to replace the existing programs at their current scale, but I don't think it would be too far fetched for the future of welfare, food stamps, or Medicare to be partially self-sustainable, thus reducing government spending and maintaining the level of good that can be done for the American people.
Michael Norton, who would consider himself a serial social entrepreneur explained how social entrepreneurship is possible in China and how it can even help solve problems in China. A Social enterprise is an invention used to solve a key social problem. Some of these problems include demographic and environmental problems that China currently faces due to the ever expanding economic activity and the immense population. China doesn't have a ton of nonprofit organizations established, but that is not a deterring factor. Social enterprises use business practices to have the largest positive social impact. Another key aspect of a successful social enterprise is creating the most positive impact for the most amount of people in as many ways as possible. In essence, the greatest good for the greatest amount. He explained a social enterprise that was already established in China, Shokay. It is a social enterprise that aims to increase local Tibetan’s low average annual income by increasing the value of yak down, an very abundant and valuable material that comes from the enormous yak population in Tibet. Shokay buys yak fibers at a fair and decent price from yak herders in Tibet to make clothing, which is then sold to the public. This social enterprise then uses a percentage of its revenues to further support work in rural areas and promote the yak fiber.
ReplyDeleteThere are still areas where China needs to improve, including further developing its' infrastructure.Laws and regulations or in general there needs to be more legal clarity and transparency in order to open and create more social enterprises. Social franchising is important way to spread positive social change as well as increase the number of social enterprises.
Also, In class we had the pleasure of having a presentation from Michael Norton about social entrepreneurship in general. All it really takes is a good idea, support, and the drive it actually take the first steps to making your idea a reality. Michael has been doing solving social problems through social enterprises most of his career and I find it fascinating. This idea doesn't just work in the US, or China, or India. There are social problems all over the world, in every country that needs to be solved and they can be solved through people like me or anyone with the determination to make a positive social change and the right skill set to do it.