Seeking the Robust Core of Social Entrepreneurship Theory Steven E. Wallis, Ph.D. Independent Organizational Consultant First International Conference on Social Entrepreneurship, Systems Thinking, & Complexity April 24-26, 2008; Adelphi University, Garden City, NY

Steven E. Wallis, Ph.D. A brief bio… Steven E. Wallis received his Ph.D. from Fielding Graduate University in His academic work focuses on “theory of theory” where he is pioneering insights and tools to support scholars as they create increasingly efficacious theory. Steve’s interdisciplinary interests span the social sciences. In addition to Social Entrepreneurship theory, he also works with institutional theory, organizational theory, knowledge management, and more. Dr. Wallis has ten years of experience as an independent consultant in Northern California. There, in a variety of industries, he supports consultants, trainers, and leaders on issues related to collaboration, communication, succession planning, creativity, and knowledge management.

Abstract: The underlying theory has not been well defined for social entrepreneurship (SE) Insights from complexity theory (CT) suggest a new view on the structure of theory An interdisciplinary cross-section of SE theory is analyzed to determine an overall level of “robustness” (in the sense of a theory used in math or physics) On a scale of zero to one, this investigation found SE theory to have a robustness of 0.13

Social Entrepreneurship is not well defined so… How might we define theory more clearly? How might we test theory – before practice? Is it any more useful than kaleidoscope of other social theory?

What is “theory” ? Conceptually similar to schema, mental model, frame for sensemaking, or lens to see the world A set of interrelated propositions Begs the question… … How well interrelated are they?

Applying CT to Understand a System of Thought Complexity theory suggests the importance of Mutual Causality & Interdependence Because theory may be understood as a system, it may be possible to apply that general idea to the propositions within a theory So… more interdependence of concepts suggests more validity of theory

More Co-causality Between Concepts Makes a Theory “Robust” Low robustness may be seen in a list of bullet-point concepts Medium robustness may be seen in linear causal propositions High robustness may be seen in Newton’s F=ma, Ohm’s Law (E=IR)

With Robust Theory… Logically interlinked concepts are more difficult to “disentangle” than a set of bullet-point concepts – so theory stays stable across multiple authors Robust theories of math & physics have shown more effective falsifiability & application than the low-robust theories of the social sciences

Methodology Investigate papers on social entrepreneurship to find concise propositions of theory Identify those propositions that are co-causal Co-causal propositions include multiple concepts and multiple causalities Link concepts from multiple articles Calculate robustness Robustness is the ratio of co-causal propositions to all propositions (including linear & atomistic)

Influences between dimensions Social Entrepreneurship Theory Dimension of Social Entrepreneurship Dimension of Innovation Dimension of Change Dimension of Environment Ten causal dimensions Dimension of Opportunity One resultant dimension Seven causal dimensions

Paths to Improve Robustness Drop extraneous concepts “Close the loop” by identifying how existing concepts are causally related Empirical testing (NOT indicated at the low level of robustness of social entrepreneurship theory)

Importance of creating Robust Version of SE Theory More falsifiable More reliable / effectively useable Provides ability to see the “invisible” May fulfill the “promise” of the social sciences

To Conclude… The concept of robustness suggests great potential for advancing Social Entrepreneurship theory Social entrepreneurship theory suggests great potential benefits for humanity Let’s go!

Thank You