Comparative analysis of social entrepreneurship development in Southeast Asian countries

This article presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of the development of social entrepreneurship in Southeast Asian countries through the prism of socio-economic geography and institutional economics. The relevance of the study is substantiated in the context of the global spread of social entrepreneurship as an innovative form of solving social problems and increasing the sustainability of regional economies. The findings reveal that Southeast Asian countries demonstrate the dynamics of establishing effective models thanks to the synergy of public initiatives, international support, and the local institutional environment. The aim of the study is to identify the spatial-economic and socio-institutional factors that influence the formation of social entrepreneurship models and their ability to adapt in the context of global transformations. The methodological basis consists of a combination of comparative-geographical, cluster-, and structural-functional approaches with the use of elements of cartographic analysis, secondary statistics, and the case method. Three types of models are distinguished: urban-centric, rural-community-centric, and mixed. Clusters of countries with similar development profiles are identified, and the role of demographic, spatial, and institutional factors in the localization of social initiatives is assessed. The importance of non-governmental organizations, digitalization, and impact investing as key determinants of social business sustainability is emphasized. It is demonstrated that the most successful models arise in the context of synergy between public policy, civic activism, and international support. The results obtained have practical significance for spatial planning strategies and the formation of policies to support social entrepreneurship in Ukraine. It is argued that the adaptation of Asian practices can be an effective tool for ensuring inclusive economic growth and enhancing national sustainability in the context of post-war reconstruction.