Location
MD204, Paul Cardinal Shen Medical Building, Fu Jen University
Start Date
28-5-2015 1:30 PM
End Date
28-5-2015 2:40 PM
Description
In Hong Kong, the term "social enterprise" is a relatively new term. As a result, those living in Hong Kong often do not understand the term's meaning or what a social enterprise is and how it works. In fact, many people living in Hong Kong tend to confuse "social enterprises" with "charitable organizations" - thinking that the two terms have the same meaning.
In addition to the many misconceptions about the concept of "social enterprise," it is also important to recognize the difficulties that operating social enterprises (SEs) face in Hong Kong. Many SEs are struggling to survive because of the economic structure in Hong Kong. Due to the money supremacist economy of Hong Kong, many residents of Hong Kong place emphasis on making money and acquiring profit, rather than acknowledging their civic responsibility for addressing social issues. Business-minded and profit-driven individuals believe that it is the government's responsibility to fix society's problems and issues. As a result of this social mindset, it is often difficult for SEs to sustain in Hong Kong.
Service-Learning, in effect, can be a way to help SEs with their difficulties and help t hem continue to exist in Hong Kong. The Service-Learning project "Strategic Planning for 'Natural Network,'" organized by the Office of Service -Learning (OSL), serves as a case study for how university students can help benefit social enterprises and vice versa. This research will demonstrate how students from the "Strategic Management" course at Lingnan University have partnered with the social enterprise "Natural Network" to support its efforts and services.
Findings show that by partnering with Natural Network, Lingnan students have helped Natural Network brainstorm ideas to outreach to more schools and NGOs and assisted in developing pricing strategies for Natural Network's services. The project has also e enhanced students' knowledge of SEs and the difficulties SE's face, along with increasing students' academic knowledge and research skills.
Recommended Citation
Wong, S. Y. (2015, May). Service-learning as a means to help social enterprises. Paper presented at the 5th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Service-Learning: Love Journey: Community Engagement through Service-Learning, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan.
Included in
Service-learning as a means to help social enterprises
MD204, Paul Cardinal Shen Medical Building, Fu Jen University
In Hong Kong, the term "social enterprise" is a relatively new term. As a result, those living in Hong Kong often do not understand the term's meaning or what a social enterprise is and how it works. In fact, many people living in Hong Kong tend to confuse "social enterprises" with "charitable organizations" - thinking that the two terms have the same meaning.
In addition to the many misconceptions about the concept of "social enterprise," it is also important to recognize the difficulties that operating social enterprises (SEs) face in Hong Kong. Many SEs are struggling to survive because of the economic structure in Hong Kong. Due to the money supremacist economy of Hong Kong, many residents of Hong Kong place emphasis on making money and acquiring profit, rather than acknowledging their civic responsibility for addressing social issues. Business-minded and profit-driven individuals believe that it is the government's responsibility to fix society's problems and issues. As a result of this social mindset, it is often difficult for SEs to sustain in Hong Kong.
Service-Learning, in effect, can be a way to help SEs with their difficulties and help t hem continue to exist in Hong Kong. The Service-Learning project "Strategic Planning for 'Natural Network,'" organized by the Office of Service -Learning (OSL), serves as a case study for how university students can help benefit social enterprises and vice versa. This research will demonstrate how students from the "Strategic Management" course at Lingnan University have partnered with the social enterprise "Natural Network" to support its efforts and services.
Findings show that by partnering with Natural Network, Lingnan students have helped Natural Network brainstorm ideas to outreach to more schools and NGOs and assisted in developing pricing strategies for Natural Network's services. The project has also e enhanced students' knowledge of SEs and the difficulties SE's face, along with increasing students' academic knowledge and research skills.