The role of social enterprises in facilitating labour market integration for people with disabilities

A convenient deflection from policy mainstreaming

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2116271
AutoresCheryl Hiu-Kwan Chui (0000-0002-3284-5724, Hong Kong Jockey Club), Chee Hon Chan (0000-0002-4112-9383, Hong Kong Jockey Club), Yanto Chandra (0000-0003-1083-5813, Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
Ano2023
Volume52
Fascículo1
Páginas176-196
Data de publicação2023-01-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Social Policy (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0047-2794 • E-ISSN: 1469-7823
EditoraCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0047279421000490
OpenAlexW3183415519
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas12
Referências citadas51

Policymakers have increasingly embraced social enterprises as a vehicle to create job opportunities for the disadvantaged. However, there is limited research on social enterprises in the context of disability in relation to labour market integration. Drawing on the perspectives of representatives of work integration social enterprises and people with disabilities employed in these enterprises (n=21), this study examines whether and how work integration social enterprises promote inclusion for people with disabilities, and also explores the role of WISEs in enabling people with disabilities to transition into open employment. Thematic analysis revealed three key emergent themes:Cocooned inclusion but not transition; Reinforced normative demarcation; andWISEs as a deflection from institutionalizing proactive disability policy measures. This article argues that, although WISEs were able to provide job opportunities for people with disabilities, their purported function in enabling disabled people to transition into open employment remains constrained by factors beyond their control including prevailing norms and the absence of proactive disability employment measures. This article cautions against the over-romanticisation of WISEs as the primary means to ensure the rights of people with disabilities to participate in the labour market. Implications on disability employment policies in relation to social enterprises are discussed

Business · Disadvantaged · Economic growth · Economics · Inclusion (mineral) · Labour economics · Mainstreaming · Market economy · Normative · Political science · Public relations · Qualitative research · Social exclusion · Social integration · Social model of disability · Social policy · Sociology · Special education · Thematic analysis · Community Development and Social Impact · Disability Education and Employment · Psychology · Retirement, Disability, and Employment · Social Psychology