Social Enterprise & Business Ethics

Research projects cover a wide range of topics, both at the theoretical and empirical levels, using quantitative and qualitative methodologies, which are grouped under five main categories:

• conceptual work defining the notions related to social enterprise and business ethics (e.g. social economy, non-profit or cooperative economy, philanthropy, etc.)
• entrepreneurial dynamics underlying social and sustainable entrepreneurship in new fields of activity (e.g. ethical finance, fair trade, integration of low-skilled workers, etc.) and in the context of the sustainability transition (e.g. recycling, renewable energy, short food supply chains, etc.)
• new financing modes for social and sustainable enterprises, including through philanthropy and social investment; new approaches to social impact measurement 
• organizational models and management practices in social enterprises, foundations and ethical businesses
• institutionalization of social innovation in the context of transitioning to a more sustainable economy, including through cross-sector partnerships and networks with businesses and public authorities

These research themes are developed in connection with the teaching and dissemination missions of the field. To do this, the research field relies on three chairs (W.ALTER, E. Piedboeuf, Prosperity and Post-growth) and on numerous action research projects. The escap project in particular, thanks to funding from the Walloon region, aims to systematize the links between research, teaching and practice around various jointly identified themes. The research results are used to feed the course programs related to the subject, in particular the master's in "Management of Social and Sustainable Enterprises" as well as the specialization master in social economy (in collaboration with UCLouvain).