Change in social entrepreneurship: the imprinting perspective

Purpose This research focuses on the change in social entrepreneurship through the lens of imprinting theory. The purpose of this study is to investigate how and when the founding period strategies of social enterprises change. Design/methodology/approach The research was designed as a multi-case study, focusing on social enterprises in Türkiye. Interviews with Ashoka Fellows were conducted and relevant documents were investigated. Findings The research identified four key factors – financial challenges, recognizing needs, expansion of target audience and prestige building – that trigger short sensitive periods in social entrepreneurship. These short sensitive periods result in the changes in the goals, legal structure and the activities of social enterprises. Originality/value The research presents both theoretical and practical contributions, particularly by highlighting short sensitive periods and the evolution of founding period strategies in social enterprises.