How do we create innovative and effective solutions to social problems around the world ? This course was designed for individuals and organizations who want to identify and bring about transformative societal change. Professors Jim Thompson and Ian “Mac” MacMillan help you develop both a strategy and a framework for your social enterprise based on their years of experience and expertise teaching social entrepreneurship and advising entrepreneurs. You’ll learn how to define a social problem, understand contextual realities, develop a solution, and plan for effective deployment. By the end of this course, you’ll have a deep understanding of the realities of launching an enterprise, be prepared for every step of the process, and put your social entrepreneurial venture on the path to success.
This course is part of the Business Strategies for A Better World Specialization
Social Entrepreneurship
4.6
(117 ratings)
2,486 already enrolled!
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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
11 hour to complete
Module 1
In this module, you’ll learn how to define a social enterprise and develop its basic framework. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the critical importance of research to identify patterns, cause, and context. You’ll master the process of Idea Generation and analyze the successes and failures of others to be better able to attract funding for your social enterprise. You’ll also learn how to examine factors and contexts through Segmentation, and differentiate between Transactional Accessibility and Acceptability. By the end of this module, you’ll have a more clearly defined understanding of the problem your organization wants to tackle and how to fund your project.
4 videos (Total 48 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
4 videos
Describing the Social Problem7m
Idea Generation and Advisory Board17m
Segmentation for Social Enterprises: Part 115m
2 readings
Recommended Reading: The Social Entrepreneur's Playbook10m
Module 1 - Lecture Slides10m
1 practice exercise
Module 1 Quiz20m
Week
21 hour to complete
Module 2
This module was designed to promote a deep understanding of your beneficiaries through segmentation in order to design solutions to the Social Problem of your enterprise. After identifying and segmenting major factors and contexts of your population, you’ll draft a Segment Attractiveness Scoring Table that will enable you to analyze the beneficiaries of your solution, and then use the Beneficiary Experience Table to refine that solution. Finally, you’ll learn how to differentiate between Screen-In and Screen-Out Criteria to identify potential problems. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to create a Concept Map for your own social enterprise, and visualize the trajectory and potential outcomes of your solution.
4 videos (Total 40 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
4 videos
Understanding the Beneficiary13m
Screen-In & Screen-Out Criteria7m
Describing the Solution6m
1 reading
Module 2 - Lecture Slides10m
1 practice exercise
Module 2 Quiz16m
Week
31 hour to complete
Module 3
In this module, you’ll examine the details and operational realities of your social enterprise. You’ll identify deliverables, needs of beneficiaries, and expected costs. You’ll explore key concepts such as Unit of Business, Social Impact and Financial Goals, and the Deliverables and Cost Table to assist in operationalizing the venture. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to better assess how success will be defined in your venture and the key deliverables and capabilities required to maintain your social enterprise.
4 videos (Total 47 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
4 videos
Framing and Scoping the Venture17m
Operations Realities8m
Cost Table9m
1 reading
Module 3 - Lecture Slides10m
1 practice exercise
Module 3 Quiz20m
Week
41 hour to complete
Module 4
This module was designed to help you test the feasibility of your social enterprise. By utilizing the Most Competitive Alternatives in organizing a Proposed Beneficiary Experience Table, you’ll be able to assess advantages and disadvantages against relevant competition. Once you have a plausible and attractive proposition, you’ll deploy a quick and cost-effective test-of-concept to scaffold future success for your venture. Finally, you’ll discover the inevitable socio-politics that emerge with multiple stakeholders, and learn how to navigate these issues effectively while maintaining support. By the end of this module, you’ll have developed a powerful strategy that will ensure success for your social entrepreneurial ventures.
4 videos (Total 46 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
4 videos
Test of Concept Plausibility12m
Stakeholder Analysis17m
Conclusion & Next Steps4m
2 readings
Module 4 - Lecture Slides10m
Survey for those who have completed the Specialization10m
1 practice exercise
Module 4 Quiz20m
4.6
20 ReviewsTop Reviews
A class that introduces solid theoretical and practical tools to prepare for a social venture. Would recommend without a doubt.
This course is exactly what i needed. It is well explained and the case studies given are very good.
Instructors
James D. Thompson
Director, Wharton Social Entrepreneurship ProgramEntrepreneurship
Ian "Mac" MacMillan
Dhirubhai Ambani Professor of Innovation and EntrepreneurshipManagement
About University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn) is a private university, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. A member of the Ivy League, Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, and considers itself to be the first university in the United States with both undergraduate and graduate studies.
About the Business Strategies for A Better World Specialization
You’re not just interested in making money. You’re interested in making a difference in the world too. Set your career and your business on the road to success by learning evidence-based strategies to achieve sustainable social impact: profits with purpose. This specialization was designed to give you the tools and strategies you need to create measurable social impact around the world – whether your impact goal is to create jobs, to reduce malnutrition, or to increase access to environmentally-friendly and affordable housing, or to make a positive difference in some other way. In these four courses taught by acclaimed Wharton professors, you’ll learn how to apply effective business strategies to real-world problems through a deep understanding of the global practices and trends shaping the world today. By the end of this Specialization, you’ll be able to:
● Lead, invest and make business decisions for social impact
● Analyze information about global trends to make more informed strategic business decisions
● Understand the role of corruption in societies so you can make better business decisions
● Develop, launch, test, and scale entrepreneurship projects which have high-potential of significant positive social impact
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
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