Content area
Abstract
This study presents the results both from primary and secondary data sources utilized by the researcher to complete this study on social entrepreneurship as part of strategic management in Abu Dhabi. The focus of this research is on social entrepreneurship initiatives undertaken by organizations working in Abu Dhabi. The study adopted a qualitative research approach along with the research methods known as semi-structured interviews and in-depth interviews. The researcher consulted secondary data based on the published material available on the topic as well as using primary data collected and analyzed by the researcher. The researcher conducted 269 semi-structured interviews with people working in different organizations and linked with social entrepreneurship initiatives in various ways. Along with these semi-structured interviews, the researcher conducted 15 in-depth interviews using open-ended questions in which probing questions were added by the researcher during the interviews. Moreover, three case studies were compiled by the researcher for this research. The findings show that social entrepreneurship projects are part of the Abu Dhabi government’s strategic management. The government is increasingly mobilizing resources to enable organizations to undertake more social entrepreneurship initiatives in the country. The participants confirmed that the various communities are supportive of, and taking part in, social entrepreneurship projects. These communities are gaining benefits from such projects in the form of solving their problems and learning skills related to doing business. The findings show that social entrepreneurship is gaining popularity among people because of its deep roots in the culture. The findings also show the impact of social entrepreneurship projects, although this impact is hard to discern due to public perceptions that social work and social entrepreneurship are part of their obligations rather than entrepreneurial ventures.