What are the defining characteristics, contributions, and future prospects of social enterprises within the global third sector? Carlo Borzaga and a team of leading academics investigate the rapid expansion of social enterprise models across fifteen countries. By synthesizing theoretical frameworks with empirical case studies, the authors argue that the emergence of these organizations represents a significant shift in how civil society addresses social needs and economic challenges.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the international development of the social economy. Readers frequently note the academic rigor of the comparative research while appreciating the clarity with which the authors bridge the gap between theory and practice.