Be A Force for Good

Motivations, Challenges, and Critical Success Factors of Social Enterprise Restaurants

Bibliographic Data

ID7159694
AuthorsAthena H N Mak (0000-0003-1290-4157, National Taiwan Normal University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume49
Issue2
Pages320-336
Publication date2025-02-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Hospitality & Tourism Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1096-3480 • E-ISSN: 1557-7554
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/10963480231211738
OpenAlexW4388910287
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited52

This study explores the motivations, challenges, and critical success factors of social enterprise restaurants (SERs). An interpretivist approach was adopted, and semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with founders and employees from a sample of eight SERs in Taiwan. Various motivations driving social entrepreneurship in the restaurant industry were identified, which were classified into vision/passion-oriented and problem-oriented motivations. The findings reveal that passion and vision for a desirable future are compelling motivations for SERs. The problem-oriented motivations corroborate previous theories that social entrepreneurs are more likely to seek sustainable solutions to address social problems that lead to positive externalities and to facilitate empowerment in powerless segments. Fifteen management challenges were identified, which were classified into a dual exogenous–endogenous framework. Nine types of critical success factors of SERs were also uncovered. The empirical evidence on the distinctive challenges and success factors of SERs lays the theoretical foundation for future investigations

Business · Critical success factor · Economic growth · Economics · Empirical research · Empowerment · Entrepreneurship · Focus group · Passion · Political science · Public relations · Entrepreneurship Studies and Influences · Family Business Performance and Succession · Innovation and Socioeconomic Development · Psychology · Social Psychology · Marketing

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