Characteristics of Tourism Social Entrepreneurs

There is a well-developed body of research examining the individual characteristics, behaviors, motivations and values of social entrepreneurs. Drawing upon this research, opportunities exist to build better understandings of how tourism social entrepreneurs operate, and how they approach capacity building in and across the tourism system. Research on individual leadership traits and distributed leadership attributes and strategies would also provide useful insights to contribute to the development and refinement of TSE practice.

Additionally, Day and Mody (chapter “Social Entrepreneurship Typologies and Tourism: Conceptual Frameworks”) suggest that more research is needed in the practical skills and competencies needed for successful tourism social entrepreneurs, who often struggle with balancing their social mission and their financial mission, as well as the many other strategic and tactical aspects of running a TSE. Mottiar and Boluk (chapter “Understanding How Social Entrepreneurs Fit into the Tourism Discourse”) also draw attention to the role of social intrapreneurship, and how passionate and visionary individuals inside tourism organizations (public and private) can drive and deliver blended value. More research into the interaction of social intrapreneurship and CSR could assist in moving CSR to a more authentic approach to creating social value.