Title: Starting social enterprises in remote and rural Scotland: best or worst of circumstances?

Authors: Jane Farmer, Artur Steinerowski, Sarah Jack

Addresses: Rural Health Policy & Management, Centre for Rural Health, UHI Millennium Institute, The Greenhouse, Beechwood Park, Inverness IV2 3BL, UK. ' Centre for Rural Health, UHI Millennium Institute, The Greenhouse, Beechwood Park, Inverness IV2 3BL, UK. ' Institute for Entrepreneurship & Enterprise, Lancaster University Management School, Lancaster, LA1 4YX, UK

Abstract: In the UK, like in other countries, current social policy exhibits a push towards using social enterprises to provide a range of services. Characteristics of rural locations might present a suitable nurturing ground for social enterprise; however, the nature of rurality also raises concerns. This paper considers promoters/barriers to growth of social enterprise for rural service provision. Using a qualitative approach, this paper draws on data from interviews with stakeholders in the Scottish Highlands to assess the likely success of rural social enterprise. Findings indicate that there are specific promoters/barriers to the success of social enterprise in the Scottish Highlands.

Keywords: social enterprise; social economy; rural communities; Scotland; UK; United Kingdom; rural entrepreneurship; rurality; Scottish Highlands; barriers.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2008.019138

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2008 Vol.6 No.3, pp.450 - 464

Published online: 30 Jun 2008 *

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