Social Enterprise: Bridging the Gap between the Statutory and Third Sector

This article contributes to research of vulnerable communities and investigates the role of social enterprise created or saved from closure by social entrepreneurs affected personally by a life-changing event, in the context of stroke survival. Qualitative research is deployed to investigate the ways in which social enterprise supports survivors of stroke and their caregivers. Research analysis identifies start-up motives and challenges faced by social entrepreneurs and highlights how social enterprise can bridge the gap in support provision provided by the statutory and third sectors. Involvement in stroke clubs was found to be a key positive contributor to participants’ life after stroke. This study has found that those who become social entrepreneurs after a life-changing event exhibit altruistic behaviours, while engagement between these social enterprises and this vulnerable group created specific benefits for vulnerable individuals and their caregivers, highlighting the potential for social enterprise to bridge the gap between statutory and third sectors which is currently overlooked in existing policy provision. The article concludes by making detailed recommendations for future research in this context and for governments and policymakers

Creating experiential learning opportunities in enterprise education: an example of a facilitator-led business simulation game in a taught setting

Purpose – Simulation in education has been well documented. Business simulation games (BSGs) are often digital and run by a third-party provider. This can create barriers to engagement from educator and student perspectives. This paper explores a facilitator-led BSG, posing the question: can facilitator-led BSGs provide practical experiential learning experiences within a taught setting. Design/methodology/approach – Exploratory inductive research recruited a sample of 45 student participants, an external examiner and a module leader. Qualitative data were collected using focus group discussion, participant obsession and facilitator reflection. Mixed-method feedback forms were also used. Findings – The facilitator-led BSG offered a flexible approach to challenge or problem-based learning, experiential learning, collaborative learning and critical reflection. Student feedback was positive, and there was an increase in engagement within all elements of the module. Originality/value – This paper presents a case study example of the implementation of a facilitator-led BSG, providing an alternative solution for teaching practitioners to structured simulations run by third-party hosts. This paper highlights a flexible approach to student-centric experiential and challenging learning through enterprise education within small-group settings. There are opportunities for further evaluation and exploration of the notion, which can be developed from this paper in future works

Living with Stroke: a Wales context

This thesis reports the findings of a doctoral study which sought to explore the everyday lives of survivors of stroke and their caregivers, who live in Wales, UK. Through an exploratory multi-method approach to research, data collected from survivors of stroke, their caregivers, and Stroke Club observations provided in-depth insight into the participants' lives, and the contribution of Stroke Clubs to the personal support networks of the study participants. The findings of this study provide an insight into post-stroke life in Wales. The findings also highlight the value of social enterprise (Stroke Clubs) in the context of supporting survivors of stroke and their caregivers, in the months and years after stroke. The key conclusions of this study are that survivors and caregivers benefit from life-long support. Furthermore, the social enterprise sector provides an avenue of informal support and has the potential to meet the aims of policy makers, by filling the gaps in existing service provision. This thesis contributes to the fields of sociology, social policy, social enterprise, and research methods for research involving vulnerable adults. Recommendations for practitioners, policy makers, and social entrepreneurs are underpinned by the study findings and include suggestions for effective collaboration between the sectors. The limitations of this study are that the sample consisted of eight (of nine) participants who engaged with Stroke Clubs. Therefore, a contrast between those who attended Stroke Club and those who did not could not be established. However, this thesis does form the basis of such study in the future as it highlights what the participants perceive to be benefits of Stroke Club

A Blended Value Proposition: Towards a Regional Sustainability Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Framework for the Social Solidarity Economy (SSE)

This extended abstract has been submitted for the Faculty of Business and Law Research Day 2022

The FANCM:p.Arg658* truncating variant is associated with risk of triple-negative breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a common disease partially caused by genetic risk factors. Germline pathogenic variants in DNA repair genes BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, ATM, and CHEK2 are associated with breast cancer risk. FANCM, which encodes for a DNA translocase, has been proposed as a breast cancer predisposition gene, with greater effects for the ER-negative and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtypes. We tested the three recurrent protein-truncating variants FANCM:p.Arg658*, p.Gln1701*, and p.Arg1931* for association with breast cancer risk in 67,112 cases, 53,766 controls, and 26,662 carriers of pathogenic variants of BRCA1 or BRCA2. These three variants were also studied functionally by measuring survival and chromosome fragility in FANCM -/- patient-derived immortalized fibroblasts treated with diepoxybutane or olaparib. We observed that FANCM:p.Arg658* was associated with increased risk of ER-negative disease and TNBC (OR = 2.44, P = 0.034 and OR = 3.79; P = 0.009, respectively). In a country-restricted analysis, we confirmed the associations detected for FANCM:p.Arg658* and found that also FANCM:p.Arg1931* was associated with ER-negative breast cancer risk (OR = 1.96; P = 0.006). The functional results indicated that all three variants were deleterious affecting cell survival and chromosome stability with FANCM:p.Arg658* causing more severe phenotypes. In conclusion, we confirmed that the two rare FANCM deleterious variants p.Arg658* and p.Arg1931* are risk factors for ER-negative and TNBC subtypes. Overall our data suggest that the effect of truncating variants on breast cancer risk may depend on their position in the gene. Cell sensitivity to olaparib exposure, identifies a possible therapeutic option to treat FANCM-associated tumors

The FANCM:p.Arg658* truncating variant is associated with risk of triple-negative breast cancer

Abstract: Breast cancer is a common disease partially caused by genetic risk factors. Germline pathogenic variants in DNA repair genes BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, ATM, and CHEK2 are associated with breast cancer risk. FANCM, which encodes for a DNA translocase, has been proposed as a breast cancer predisposition gene, with greater effects for the ER-negative and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtypes. We tested the three recurrent protein-truncating variants FANCM:p.Arg658*, p.Gln1701*, and p.Arg1931* for association with breast cancer risk in 67,112 cases, 53,766 controls, and 26,662 carriers of pathogenic variants of BRCA1 or BRCA2. These three variants were also studied functionally by measuring survival and chromosome fragility in FANCM−/− patient-derived immortalized fibroblasts treated with diepoxybutane or olaparib. We observed that FANCM:p.Arg658* was associated with increased risk of ER-negative disease and TNBC (OR = 2.44, P = 0.034 and OR = 3.79; P = 0.009, respectively). In a country-restricted analysis, we confirmed the associations detected for FANCM:p.Arg658* and found that also FANCM:p.Arg1931* was associated with ER-negative breast cancer risk (OR = 1.96; P = 0.006). The functional results indicated that all three variants were deleterious affecting cell survival and chromosome stability with FANCM:p.Arg658* causing more severe phenotypes. In conclusion, we confirmed that the two rare FANCM deleterious variants p.Arg658* and p.Arg1931* are risk factors for ER-negative and TNBC subtypes. Overall our data suggest that the effect of truncating variants on breast cancer risk may depend on their position in the gene. Cell sensitivity to olaparib exposure, identifies a possible therapeutic option to treat FANCM-associated tumors

Transcriptome-wide association study of breast cancer risk by estrogen-receptor status

Previous transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) have identified breast cancer risk genes by integrating data from expression quantitative loci and genome-wide association studies (GWAS), but analyses of breast cancer subtype-specific associations have been limited. In this study, we conducted a TWAS using gene expression data from GTEx and summary statistics from the hitherto largest GWAS meta-analysis conducted for breast cancer overall, and by estrogen receptor subtypes (ER+ and ER-). We further compared associations with ER+ and ER- subtypes, using a case-only TWAS approach. We also conducted multigene conditional analyses in regions with multiple TWAS associations. Two genes, STXBP4 and HIST2H2BA, were specifically associated with ER+ but not with ER- breast cancer. We further identified 30 TWAS-significant genes associated with overall breast cancer risk, including four that were not identified in previous studies. Conditional analyses identified single independent breast-cancer gene in three of six regions harboring multiple TWAS-significant genes. Our study provides new information on breast cancer genetics and biology, particularly about genomic differences between ER+ and ER- breast cancer.Peer reviewe

Living with Stroke:a Wales context

This thesis reports the findings of a doctoral study which sought to explore the everyday lives of survivors of stroke and their caregivers, who live in Wales, UK. Through an exploratory multi-method approach to research, data collected from survivors of stroke, their caregivers, and Stroke Club observations provided in-depth insight into the participants' lives, and the contribution of Stroke Clubs to the personal support networks of the study participants. The findings of this study provide an insight into post-stroke life in Wales. The findings also highlight the value of social enterprise (Stroke Clubs) in the context of supporting survivors of stroke and their caregivers, in the months and years after stroke. The key conclusions of this study are that survivors and caregivers benefit from life-long support. Furthermore, the social enterprise sector provides an avenue of informal support and has the potential to meet the aims of policy makers, by filling the gaps in existing service provision. This thesis contributes to the fields of sociology, social policy, social enterprise, and research methods for research involving vulnerable adults. Recommendations for practitioners, policy makers, and social entrepreneurs are underpinned by the study findings and include suggestions for effective collaboration between the sectors. The limitations of this study are that the sample consisted of eight (of nine) participants who engaged with Stroke Clubs. Therefore, a contrast between those who attended Stroke Club and those who did not could not be established. However, this thesis does form the basis of such study in the future as it highlights what the participants perceive to be benefits of Stroke Club

A Blended Value Proposition: Towards a Regional Sustainability Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Framework for the Social and Solidarity Economy in the Liverpool City Region

Introduction “There is no alternative” (TINA) is a slogan that is strongly associated with Margaret Thatcher. The phrase is used to signify Thatcher’s claim that capitalism is the best economic system, based on her belief in a so-called moral society where the State is not responsible for everything, and people have freedom to make their own choices (Berlinski, 2011). This led many to believe that capitalism is indeed without alternatives (Altvater, 2006). In a world where large multinational companies are still dominating the global economy (Jara, 2017) with increasing inequalities (Camdessus, 2019) and income disparities (Dao et al., 2019), the discourse on alternative or diverse economies has gained momentum (Fisher, 2022). This study is motivated by one of the developing alternative economy approaches to capitalism; namely the concept of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE). Over recent years the SSE has gained increasing visibility, but there remains a need to overcome the challenges that have historically hindered the mainstreaming of the SSE as a viable alternative economic system (Utting, 2016). Morais and Di Meglio (2018) contend that one of the main challenges to the strengthening of the SSE is the establishment of an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for the SSE. This study aims to fill a gap in the research on of an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for the SSE by first delving into the emerging academic fields of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, Sustainable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and, Sustainable SSE Entrepreneurial Ecosystem. There are examples of some places in the world that have implemented Entrepreneurial Ecosystems for the SSE. Exploratory analysis of those in Canada (Quebec), Spain (Barcelona) and, Luxemburg will be conducted to uncover the interconnected elements, mechanisms, legal measures, and policy levers that have enabled their structural integration. These will form a benchmark for developing a Sustainable SSE Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for the Liverpool City Region (LCR). The LCR, comprising the six boroughs of Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, Knowsley, St Helens, and Halton, has been the subject of extensive research across various disciplines, shedding light on its social, economic, and cultural dynamics. One such study, conducted by Thompson et al. (2020), presented findings from a case study of the LCR’s social economy, highlighting the scale, scope, and value of its social economy. Their research provides valuable insights into the social fabric and economic dynamics of the LCR social economy, and this research responds to their call for future research in this field. In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the LCR declared its ambition to ‘Build Back Better’ a “fairer, greener and more equal” city region that is “the most progressive, values and ethics led economy in Europe” (LCRCA, 2020, p.1-2). At the core of this ambition are six principles that embody people-focused recovery, environmental sustainability, and the development of an inclusive and supportive LCR Entrepreneurial Ecosystem. This provides an opportunity for this research to explore how sustainability can be embedded in an LCR SSE Entrepreneurial Ecosystem. Research Question “How can a sustainability-oriented Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) Entrepreneurial Ecosystem be developed in the Liverpool City Region?”   Literature Review Over recent years the SSE has gained increasing economic, social, and political significance, culminating in the UN International Labour Organisation (ILO) adopting the very first universal definition of the SSE in 2023. The ILO defines the SSE as a concept that designates organisations and enterprises, particularly cooperatives, mutual benefit societies, associations, foundations (CMAF), social enterprises, and other entities that are engaged in economic, social, and environmental activities (ILO, 2023). These organisations and enterprises share various social values and principles that place people and the environment over profit (ILO, 2023). Whilst the 2023 ILO definition signals a strong acknowledgment of the SSE and is an important step in its institutionalisation, there remains a need to overcome the challenges that Utting (2016) identified as being the barriers to the mainstreaming of the SSE. The formation of the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for the SSE is a fundamental tool for the strengthening of the SSE (Morais & Bacic, 2020), and has been highlighted as one such challenge. In spite of a growing scholarly interest in Entrepreneurial Ecosystems, a review of the literature has revealed that researchers have struggled to reach a consensus on its definition and the concept remains loosely defined and measured (Stam & van de Ven, 2021). Overall, Entrepreneurial Ecosystems are a set of interconnected social, political, economic, and cultural elements within a region (Spigel, 2017) that formally and informally coalesce to connect, mediate, and govern the performance within the local or regional entrepreneurial environment (Mason & Brown, 2014). It was Isenberg (2011) who initially gave a logical and influential model of an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem while connecting its features with the economic growth and development of any country or region. He identified six elements as key determinants of the dynamics of an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem. Those factors are favourable culture, workable policies, financial availability, capable human resource, enabled market mechanisms and subsequently a range of institutional support. A recent study by Audretsch et al. (2023) investigated how the sustainability orientation of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem actors shapes outcomes and proposes that sustainability orientation could become the 7th and the most important pillar of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems. In relation to Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, they define sustainability orientation as the extent to which actors balance social and environmental initiatives along with economic considerations that ultimately help to increase the level of sustainable-oriented entrepreneurial activity (Audretsch et al., 2023). The SSE presents itself as an alternative economy that seeks environmental, economic, and social sustainability, promoting collective ownership and equality in the means of production (Telles et al., 2017). Accordingly, it is unclear why the organisations and enterprises that make up the SSE have rarely been the subject of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem research (Catala et al., 2023), despite the growing incorporation of the ecosystem perspective into numerous government policies. Traditionally the SSE and for-profit businesses have generally been considered incompatible (Utting, 2016). However, the 2023 ILO definition of the SSE (ILO, 2023) offers an opportunity for research into this assumption of incompatibility, particularly as it refers to the inclusion of other entities that share the values and principles of the SSE (ILO, 2023). Indeed, there is a growing body of literature that focuses on for-profit enterprises that purposefully generate economic, social, and environmental value providing ‘Blended Value Proposition’ first articulated by Jed Emerson in the early 2000s (Nogales Muriel, 2023). Furthermore, in contextualising social entrepreneurship Seelos and Mair (2005 p.243) declared that there is no such thing as ‘non-social’ entrepreneurship. Since then, the concept of blended value has gained attention in the context of entrepreneurship. Blended value models have been proposed as comprehensive and coherent frameworks for business sustainability, offering a progressive approach to harnessing the Sustainable Development Goals for businesses (Redman, 2018). Furthermore, the notion of blended value has been linked to the broader discourse on shared value, corporate social responsibility, stakeholder theory, and social innovation (Voola & Voola, 2020). These are all consistent with the other substantive concepts, along with the aim of this study.   Aim This research aims to propose a Blended-Value inclusive sustainability-oriented SSE Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Framework in the LCR. The Framework will be based on the global SSE principles, and the diverse characteristics of the region’s entrepreneurial communities, and the requisite legal and policy levers.   Relevance and Impact This study provides new insights into the academic field of entrepreneurship by advancing knowledge on the relationship between Social Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, Sustainable Entrepreneurship, and the SSE as a burgeoning and credible alternative economic system. The importance and originality of this study are that it aims to propose a new guidance framework for a novel LCR Blended Value, inclusive SSE Entrepreneurial Ecosystem.  References Altvater, E., 2007. The capitalist energy system and the crisis of the global financial markets: The impact on labour. Labour, Capital and Society/Travail, capital et société, pp.18-34. Audretsch, D.B., Belitski, M., Eichler, G.M. et al. 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