A Study on the Community Orientedness of Social Enterprises in Korea: Based on Q Method Survey Results

Abstract

This paper is based on a Q method survey on 28 social entrepreneurs, local officials and civic activists. The survey was conducted to evaluate to what extent social enterprises in South Korea make efforts to promote symbiotic strategies with communities. According to Q factor analysis, three different types of survival strategies were found among the respondents. However, community-oriented growth strategy was adopted only in one of those three types. Social enterprises must initiate a community profile as a part of a community economic development. Also, they should contribute to the qualitative leap in making social and collaborative networks in communities. That is a viable way towards the sustainable growth of social enterprises in Korea.