What if ‘social’ wasn’t just a buzzword but a strategic redefinition of what businesses aim to achieve? In a world facing increasingly complex challenges, from social inequality to environmental challenges, social entrepreneurship is inspiring a shift in how entrepreneurs and organizations pursue positive social impact.
Far from being limited to non-profits or grassroots movements, social entrepreneurship is now recognized as a driving force across sectors. It provides a powerful lens to rethink how industries like hospitality and tourism can generate positive social impact, not as a side effect, but as a core purpose.
But what exactly is social entrepreneurship? How does it diverge from the more widespread model of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), and why might hospitality and tourism be uniquely positioned to lead this shift within their sector and channel broader business transformation?
What is Social Entrepreneurship in Practice?
Social entrepreneurship is the process of identifying and developing opportunities aimed at creating social value (Bacq & Kickul, 2022). Its uniqueness is that it blends entrepreneurial practices with the mission to address deeply embedded social problems. At its core, social entrepreneurship is about using business tools to for social value creation: inclusion, dignity, sustainability, access, opportunity, etc.
Social entrepreneurship differs from CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) in one key way: it embeds purpose into the business model itself. It's not about giving back; it's about building differently from the start. Rooted in a long-standing call to move beyond short-term value capture, social entrepreneurship challenges us to reconsider what business tools are for and, more importantly, who they should serve.
Social entrepreneurs measure success in terms like social return on investment, impact metrics, and community engagement, while ensuring economic viability.
They aren’t merely businesspeople with a conscience, they are system thinkers, often acting as institutional entrepreneurs who question norms and reshape social ecosystems.
What makes a Social Entrepreneur?
A social entrepreneur is someone who innovates with intention, weaving together profitability and purpose. Scholars such as Zahra et al. (2009) offer a helpful typology:
- The bricoleur, working resourcefully within constraints.
- The constructionist, designing new institutional models.
- The engineer, aiming for scalable, systemic change.
These archetypes go beyond good intentions. They reflect the strategic mindset and resilience it takes to drive both social and business transformation.
Hospitality and Tourism as Engines for Positive Impact
The hospitality and tourism sectors are uniquely positioned to lead this change.
They are inherently relational, grounded in people, place, and culture. They employ millions, impact local communities, shape global perceptions, and contribute significantly to GDPs. But they also face serious scrutiny: labor exploitation, environmental strain, cultural commodification. This duality makes the industry a fertile ground for social entrepreneurs. By rethinking value chains, from sourcing to staffing to guest experience, hospitality ventures can become catalysts for positive social impact. And some already are:
- Albergo Etico: Empowering workers with disabilities in hotel operations.
- Tablée des chefs: Bridging the gap between food surplus and food insecurity
- Reffetorio: Transforming surplus food into meals for those in need.
These aren’t fringe projects; they are blueprints for a more inclusive and regenerative industry.
Characteristics of a Social Entrepreneur in Hospitality
What distinguishes social entrepreneurs in our industry?
- They master customer experience, and they design with people inclusively.
- They embed cultural intelligence and local empowerment into their business models.
- They balance profitability with long-term impact metrics (i.e. economic, environmental, and human).
They also often fly under the radar. Many impactful ventures remain underfunded or unseen by the wider public or policy ecosystem.
That’s why we’ve created the Social Entrepreneurship in Hospitality & Tourism Directory: a curated, living library of businesses, founders, and case studies that are transforming the role of hospitality in society.
A Call for Engagement: Hospitality for Social Impact
It is time to revisit how business is taught, practiced, and measured. While debates around corporate purpose have gained momentum, much of the dialogue remains theoretical or disconnected from practice.
Yet, across the hospitality and tourism sectors, social entrepreneurs are already demonstrating what it means to generate both economic value and positive social impact, often with limited visibility or support.
This article marks the launch of a new section on EHL Insights: “Hospitality for Social Impact.”
It’s not just a category, it’s a commitment. A space where we will regularly showcase individuals and organizations using hospitality to create positive social impact. A resource for educators, entrepreneurs, investors, students, and curious minds who want to explore what a purpose-driven hospitality industry might look like.
So, what can you do?
- Explore our curated Directory
- Share initiatives from your community so others can learn from them
- Join the conversation: contribute ideas, stories, questions, or even challenges you are facing. May be these exchanges can grow into shared solutions.
We believe hospitality can shape. And with the right tools and intent, it already is.
