Comparison of Key Competencies of Social Enterprises: Focusing on Value Orientation

This study examines the key competencies of social enterprises based on their value orientations, categorized as (1) economic, (2) social, and (3) mixed value orientations. Using data from a 2023 Social Performance Incentive (SPC) Enterprise Survey of 238 social enterprises, the study examines how these competencies relate to organizational performance. For economic value-oriented enterprises, marketing competency (H3) and continuous improvement competency (H9) significantly influence both financial and non-financial performance. For social value-oriented firms, production and operations management competency (H12), marketing competency (H13), and continuous improvement competency (H14) positively affect financial performance, while strategic planning competency (H16) and production management competency (H17) significantly affect non-financial performance. Mixed value firms show that strategic planning (H21) and marketing competency (H23) are critical for financial performance, while strategic planning (H26), continuous improvement (H29), and collaboration competency (H30) are essential for non-financial outcomes. These findings provide practical and theoretical insights to help social enterprises prioritize competencies aligned with their value orientation to improve organizational performance.