There is a developing body of research into the social enterprise movement. Information about this research is found on this page.

• Time for social enterprise (2011)

A report from Social Enterprise UK in which we asked business and social enterprise leaders, bankers and investors who support social enterprise in their day-to-day work, what is it about social enterprise that is getting so many people excited? Why do they think the time for social enterprise has come? Download a pdf of the report here.

 

• Social Enterprise Barometer (2010)

By IFF Research Ltd for BIS. BIS’s Business Barometer first took place in December 2008 – a survey of 500 SME employers across the UK. The survey was intended to monitor SME experiences in getting finance, achieving growth and profitability, their usage of business support, their credit terms and payment etc. The Barometer has since been repeated every 2-3 months, with surveys in February, April, June, September and December 2009, and also February 2010.  The February 2010 report can be found here.

 

•  State of Social Enterprise Survey (2009)

Results of the first ever 'State of Social Enterprise' survey were released on Social Enterprise Day, November 19, 2009. They find optimism and growth in the sector, particularly when compared with other businesses. The survey can be downloaded here.

 

• Social enterprise in the economic upheaval (2008)

A Social Enterprise UK conducted survey of social enterprises in November 2008 to better understand their experiences and needs in the economic upheaval.

The research found that:

• The experiences of social enterprises in the economic upheaval so far are diverse;
• Social enterprises strongly expect the social and environmental needs they address, to increase in the current economic climate;
• While social enterprises feel supported by their communities and the movement, there is an opportunity for government to support them more.

A summary of the findings can be downloaded here.

 

• Social Entrepreneurship in the UK (2007)

From Delta Economics. This report is based on a five-year survey of entrepreneurs led by Dr Rebecca Harding and can be downloaded here.

 

• Social Enterprises: Diversity and Dynamics, Contexts and Contributions(2007)

By Professor Ken Peattie and Dr Adrian Morley of the BRASS centre, Cardiff University. This research publication examines the state of research into social enterprise so far and was commissioned by the Coalition and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). It was launched at the fifth annual Social Enterprise Research Conference at London's South Bank University and can be downloaded here.

 

Other relevant research can be found on the website of the Third Sector Research Centre.