Purpose

This paper aims to identify challenges and opportunities for social enterprises (SE) in civil engineering in Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

Starting from the transformative social innovation theory and inspired by grounded theory principles, this paper conducts three-stage exploratory research. First, this paper mapped the Brazilian SE civil engineering ecosystem. Next, this paper classified the SE initiatives along with an organizing framework. Finally, this paper conducted 11 interviews with key ecosystem actors and analyzed data through iterative, parallel and interrelated content analysis procedures.

Findings

The 37 SE found were classified along “Sustainability,” “Housing,” “Transportation” and “Sanitation” pillars, which are aligned with the United Nations’ social development goals. This paper found 50 challenges and opportunities, which were aggregated along seven dimensions. Three elements are particularly relevant as opportunities: opportunities for SE with ecosystem supporters, specialized investors and partnership with major companies; while government and early investment are the most relevant challenges.

Research limitations/implications

Research findings and conclusions cannot be extended to other sectors and countries. Usual limitations associated with exploratory qualitative research must also be highlighted.

Practical implications

The government should offer financial and technical support for civil engineering in working in partnership with ecosystem supporters. Academy could use SE content and ecosystem for its students and should offer diverse resources for network creation.

Originality/value

Focusing on civil engineering SE in Brazil, this study sheds light on a high-impact sector that has not been studied yet.

中文翻译：

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巴西土木工程领域的社会企业家面临的挑战和机遇

目的

本文旨在确定巴西土木工程领域的社会企业（SE）所面临的挑战和机遇。

设计/方法/方法

从变革性的社会创新理论出发，并在扎根的理论原理的启发下，本文进行了三个阶段的探索性研究。首先，本文绘制了巴西东南部土木工程生态系统的地图。接下来，本文对SE计划和组织框架进行了分类。最后，本文对生态系统的主要参与者进行了11次访谈，并通过迭代，并行和相互关联的内容分析程序对数据进行了分析。

发现

发现的37个SE沿着“可持续性”，“住房”，“运输”和“卫生”支柱进行了分类，与联合国的社会发展目标保持一致。本文发现了50个挑战和机遇，这些挑战和机遇沿七个维度进行了汇总。机遇与三个要素特别相关：与生态系统支持者，专业投资者合作以及与大型公司建立伙伴关系的SE机会；而政府和早期投资是最相关的挑战。

研究局限/意义

研究结果和结论不能扩展到其他部门和国家。还必须强调与探索性定性研究相关的通常局限性。

实际影响

政府应与生态系统支持者合作，为土木工程提供财务和技术支持。学院可以为学生使用SE内容和生态系统，并应提供各种资源来创建网络。

创意/价值

本研究着重于巴西的土木工程SE，为尚未受到研究的高影响力领域提供了启示。