Main navigation

Social enterprise research background

The 2002 social enterprise strategy acknowledged there was a major evidence gap with regards to the social enterprise sector. Individual organisations found it difficult to measure their impact on people and places and the sector as a whole was unaware of its size and characteristics.

It was recognised that a strong evidence base on social enterprise across the UK helps establish the value of social enterprise and improve the delivery of services to the sector.

Since then the first national survey of social enterprise has been undertaken and mainstream business surveys are starting to provide emerging findings including the high level estimate of 55,000 social enterprises contributing £8.4 billion to GDP.

For an overall picture of research into the sector this far the useful reports are:

• BERR Small Bussiness Survey and Household Survey of Entrepreneurship  [external website]
• IFF Research (2005) A survey of social enterprises across the UK  [PDF 2.2MB, 166 pages]
• GHK Research (2006):  Social Enterprise, an international literature review [Word 1MB, 88 pages]

Review of the 2002 social enterprise strategy

An independent review of the 2002 social enterprise strategy was undertaken by GHK in 2005. The review highlighted themes such as economic competitiveness, social cohesion and public service provision.

• GHK (2005) Review of the Social Enterprise Strategy – Full report [PDF 8.5MB, 118 pages]