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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
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Towards a Typology of Social Entrepreneurs and Their Usage of Institutional Logics in Pursuit of Legitimacy

Authors

; ;

Term

4. term

Publication year

2023

Abstract

This thesis examines how Ashoka Fellows use institutional logics to legitimize social entrepreneurship ventures. Grounded in neo-institutional theory and new-venture legitimation perspectives, it asks: How are institutional logics used by Ashoka Fellows to legitimize social entrepreneurship ventures? We analyze Fellows’ narratives, practices, and engagements presented on Ashoka.org using qualitative content analysis and ideal-type analysis to identify how they draw on prevailing norms, values, and structures and the legitimation strategies they employ. Addressing a research gap by linking legitimacy-building to institutional contexts, the study culminates in a typology that categorizes distinct strategies Ashoka Fellows use to secure legitimacy. The findings contribute to scholarship on social entrepreneurship and offer a practical resource for emerging social entrepreneurs operating in similar contexts. Data from Ashoka.org were used with permission.

Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan Ashoka Fellows anvender institutionelle logikker til at legitimere sociale iværksætterinitiativer. Med afsæt i neo-institutionel teori og perspektiver på legitimering af nye ventures stiller vi spørgsmålet: Hvordan bruges institutionelle logikker af Ashoka Fellows til at legitimere sociale iværksætterprojekter? Vi analyserer Fellows’ fortællinger, praksisser og engagementer præsenteret på Ashoka.org gennem kvalitativ indholdsanalyse og idealtypisk analyse for at afdække, hvordan de refererer til gældende normer, værdier og strukturer, samt hvilke legitimeringsstrategier der kommer til udtryk. Studiet adresserer et forskningshul ved at forbinde legitimitetsarbejde med institutionelle kontekster og munder ud i en typologi, der kategoriserer de forskellige strategier Ashoka Fellows anvender for at opnå legitimitet. Resultaterne bidrager til den akademiske debat om socialt iværksætteri og tilbyder samtidig en praktisk ressource for nye sociale iværksættere, der kan orientere sig mod relevante strategier i lignende kontekster. Data fra Ashoka.org er anvendt med tilladelse.

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