Agency theory utility and social entrepreneurship: issues of identity and role conflict

Phillip E. Davis (), Joshua S. Bendickson (), Jeffrey Muldoon () and William C. McDowell ()
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Phillip E. Davis: Texas State University
Joshua S. Bendickson: University of Louisiana At Lafayette
Jeffrey Muldoon: Emporia State University
William C. McDowell: Bradley University

Review of Managerial Science, 2021, vol. 15, issue 8, No 5, 2299-2318

Abstract: Abstract Social entrepreneurs are often at the forefront of remedying complex societal issues by linking the entrepreneurial mindset with approaches to solving these systemic societal issues. We build upon existing notions regarding the field of social entrepreneurship and existing forms of social entrepreneurship while deepening the understanding of the different roles that social entrepreneurs must embody on a daily basis. Agency theory is used by identifying principal and agent factors underlying social entrepreneurship in terms of role stressors and role conflict. We outline varying types of social entrepreneurs and discuss role duality, an area with room for much exploration. We also identify and discuss problems for principals and agents within these types of social entrepreneurship. Thus we contribute to the literature (1) by extending on the types of social entrepreneurs, (2) by identifying the threats that social entrepreneurs face through an agency lens; namely the dual role that social entrepreneurs must embark upon, and (3) by describing the boundary conditions of the different social entrepreneur types, we link the potential challenges of social entrepreneurship with a deeper look into the growing domain that is social entrepreneurship.

Keywords: Social entrepreneurship; Agency theory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L26 M14 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11846-020-00423-y

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