The strategic approaches of social enterprises

This study examines the approaches social enterprises take to sustainably balance both their social and financial objectives. The main question is how these companies deal with the inherent frictions between profit and purpose motives. By assessing the methods by which they effectively navigate their hybridity in a capitalistic landscape, this research sheds light on the approaches implemented to support further social impact and maintain financial sustain-ability. Through a deductive thematic analysis of primary data (interview responses) and secondary data (case studies), the research offers a descriptive framework for how social enterprises choose to manage hybridity related challenges within essential areas of business operations. The findings revealed that social enterprises, through an integrative process, prioritize their social purpose to cultivate widespread alignment on long-term goals, while simultaneously addressing short-term needs through a paradoxical approach. These strategies help social enterprises reconcile their dual logics while also effectively managing the dynamically changing nature of hybridity. The study finds that social enterprises that approach dual goals through this lens are best positioned to sustain success and maintain credibility.