Opportunity search and development in social enterprises.

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to document in a case study and analyse one online travel firm’s search for opportunities while operating as a social enterprise. Data for this paper was obtained using a qualitative methodology interviewing the firm’s founders. The data is presented as a case study based on interviews conducted with the founders of the enterprise and tells a chronological narrative of how the business was set up and run. This research found that the entrepreneurs were committed to operating as a social enterprise that creates value for their hosts and have been able to serve a sizable number of customers with unique experiences and continue to expand based on new opportunities. The research was deliberately limited to one firm in order to understand how one firm works. Comparative studies could be areas for future research. This paper provides an understanding of how a social enterprise in the tourism industry operates develops opportunities to create social value. This paper adds to the existing literature on social entrepreneurship and opportunity search and development.