When tensions and barriers destroy social impact businesses: Multiple case studies based on Brazilian experience

Objective: This work aims to understand the failure of Social Impact Businesses (SIBs) in Florianópolis between 2017 and 2022 from the perspective of key stakeholders. Therefore, the enterprises SIB 1, SIB 2, and SIB 3 were studied. Methodology/approach: The research uses a qualitative, exploratory...

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Main Authors: Maryane Cristina de Souza Crestani, Graziela Dias Alperstedt, Helena Kuerten de Salles
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Associação Nacional de Estudos em Empreendedorismo e Gestão de Pequenas Empresas (ANEGEPE) 2025-07-01
Series:Regepe Entrepreneurship and Small Business Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.regepe.org.br/regepe/article/view/2528
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author Maryane Cristina de Souza Crestani
Graziela Dias Alperstedt
Helena Kuerten de Salles
author_facet Maryane Cristina de Souza Crestani
Graziela Dias Alperstedt
Helena Kuerten de Salles
author_sort Maryane Cristina de Souza Crestani
collection DOAJ
description Objective: This work aims to understand the failure of Social Impact Businesses (SIBs) in Florianópolis between 2017 and 2022 from the perspective of key stakeholders. Therefore, the enterprises SIB 1, SIB 2, and SIB 3 were studied. Methodology/approach: The research uses a qualitative, exploratory-descriptive approach, based on a multiple case study. The data were subjected to thematic, documentary, and interpretative analysis. Main results: Based on the tensions and barriers expressed in the field, four reasons related to the failure of SIBs were identified: (1) The shortage of financiers in the commercial and social-environmental fields; (2) The misalignment of support organizations with the local context; (3) Imbalance between social-environmental and commercial activities; and (4) Difficulty in defining a sustainable business model. Theoretical/methodological contributions: The reasons for the discontinuation of SIBs are related to the tensions and barriers identified in the literature. Interviews with key stakeholders provided a detailed analysis of the main challenges involving SIBs. Relevance/originality: The almost non-existent research on the failure of this type of enterprise justifies the present research and contributes to the literature and practice in the field of social enterprises. Social/management contributions: The study delves into the practical and contextual challenges that impact SIBs. The findings provide useful insights for managers, support organizations, and investors, helping them develop strategies to overcome these challenges faced by SIBs.
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spelling doaj-art-ec3c5a4b62f54234880c85fd98e73d352025-08-20T02:36:35ZengAssociação Nacional de Estudos em Empreendedorismo e Gestão de Pequenas Empresas (ANEGEPE)Regepe Entrepreneurship and Small Business Journal2965-15062025-07-011410.14211/regepe.esbj.e2528When tensions and barriers destroy social impact businesses: Multiple case studies based on Brazilian experienceMaryane Cristina de Souza Crestani0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8930-0979Graziela Dias Alperstedt1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0144-0406Helena Kuerten de Salles2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7453-3219Universidade do Estado de Santa CatarinaUniversidade do Estado de Santa CatarinaUniversidade Federal de Santa Catarina Objective: This work aims to understand the failure of Social Impact Businesses (SIBs) in Florianópolis between 2017 and 2022 from the perspective of key stakeholders. Therefore, the enterprises SIB 1, SIB 2, and SIB 3 were studied. Methodology/approach: The research uses a qualitative, exploratory-descriptive approach, based on a multiple case study. The data were subjected to thematic, documentary, and interpretative analysis. Main results: Based on the tensions and barriers expressed in the field, four reasons related to the failure of SIBs were identified: (1) The shortage of financiers in the commercial and social-environmental fields; (2) The misalignment of support organizations with the local context; (3) Imbalance between social-environmental and commercial activities; and (4) Difficulty in defining a sustainable business model. Theoretical/methodological contributions: The reasons for the discontinuation of SIBs are related to the tensions and barriers identified in the literature. Interviews with key stakeholders provided a detailed analysis of the main challenges involving SIBs. Relevance/originality: The almost non-existent research on the failure of this type of enterprise justifies the present research and contributes to the literature and practice in the field of social enterprises. Social/management contributions: The study delves into the practical and contextual challenges that impact SIBs. The findings provide useful insights for managers, support organizations, and investors, helping them develop strategies to overcome these challenges faced by SIBs. https://www.regepe.org.br/regepe/article/view/2528Social Impact BusinessSocial EnterprisesDemiseOrganizational HybridityTensionsBarriers
spellingShingle Maryane Cristina de Souza Crestani
Graziela Dias Alperstedt
Helena Kuerten de Salles
When tensions and barriers destroy social impact businesses: Multiple case studies based on Brazilian experience
Regepe Entrepreneurship and Small Business Journal
Social Impact Business
Social Enterprises
Demise
Organizational Hybridity
Tensions
Barriers
title When tensions and barriers destroy social impact businesses: Multiple case studies based on Brazilian experience
title_full When tensions and barriers destroy social impact businesses: Multiple case studies based on Brazilian experience
title_fullStr When tensions and barriers destroy social impact businesses: Multiple case studies based on Brazilian experience
title_full_unstemmed When tensions and barriers destroy social impact businesses: Multiple case studies based on Brazilian experience
title_short When tensions and barriers destroy social impact businesses: Multiple case studies based on Brazilian experience
title_sort when tensions and barriers destroy social impact businesses multiple case studies based on brazilian experience
topic Social Impact Business
Social Enterprises
Demise
Organizational Hybridity
Tensions
Barriers
url https://www.regepe.org.br/regepe/article/view/2528
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