ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors explore the emerging types of Sustainable enterprise economy Change enterprises and some of their characteristics. The fourth sector labelling recognises the blurring of boundaries that has occurred in many types of enterprises, particularly around what Jed Emerson has called the 'blended value proposition' of making profits while simultaneously serving a social and/or ecological purpose. Enterprises of the fourth sector go by many labels and involve many different types of what are called 'hybrid' organisations and enterprises—hybrid because they do not neatly fit traditional categories of private, nonprofit/NGO or governmental organisations. Many are focused on sustainability as well as positive social change; for instance, efforts to reduce poverty or create entrepreneurial activities among the poor through business activities can be viewed as social entrepreneurship, as can efforts to create businesses that serve otherwise unmet real needs or enhance sustainability.
