ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces social entrepreneurship both as a concept and as an activity. It starts with an overview of the historical development of social entrepreneurship around the world and with an introduction of its key characteristics. Then it presents the three main Schools of Thought on what social entrepreneurship is about, before introducing an original definition of this concept, combining the different Schools of Thought and what are recognised as the key features of social entrepreneurship by those who practice it. The chapter ends with some light touch guidance on how to distinguish authentic social entrepreneurship from other forms of social innovation or marketing-driven claims.
