HSE University’s Research-Based Model of Social Entrepreneurship Presented at UNICAMP During Academic Delegation Visit to Latin America
During the session, the diversity of existing definitions of social entrepreneurship was discussed, highlighting how varying legal systems, policy frameworks, and cultural contexts shape local practices. She emphasized that while no singular definition prevails, a shared focus on creating measurable social value through entrepreneurial logic remains central across models.
As part of an academic delegation from HSE University–St. Petersburg, Dr. Magdalena Gaete-Sepúlveda, Head of the Laboratory for Reputation Management in Education, delivered an invited session on social entrepreneurship, sustainability, and emerging models of impact at the Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas (FCA) of the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Limeira, Brazil.
Her presentation, hosted within the university's international research agenda, focused on the evolving conceptual landscape of social entrepreneurship. It drew from cross-country data and institutional analysis developed through the Satellite Laboratory “Reflecting Impact,” a joint initiative between HSE University and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).
“Since 2023, our international lab has worked to map how social entrepreneurship is understood and practiced in fast-developing economies, where hybrid organizational models often emerge in response to complex social and environmental challenges,” Dr. Gaete explained.
During the session, she discussed the diversity of existing definitions of social entrepreneurship, highlighting how varying legal systems, policy frameworks, and cultural contexts shape local practices. She emphasized that while no singular definition prevails, a shared focus on creating measurable social value through entrepreneurial logic remains central across models.
Dr. Gaete then introduced a research-based conceptual framework developed by the Satellite Laboratory over the past two years. This model identifies social enterprises as dynamic entities operating at the intersection of social purpose, economic sustainability, and institutional embeddedness. The model is currently being used to analyze and compare social entrepreneurship ecosystems in Russia, Malaysia, Mexico, and Brazil.
“Our findings show that sustainability is not just a normative goal but a functional requirement for the long-term viability of social enterprises. This applies not only to environmental practices, but also to financial models, stakeholder engagement, and the scalability of impact,” she noted.
The session concluded with an open discussion on opportunities for future collaboration between UNICAMP and HSE University, particularly in the areas of community-based innovation, regional development, and youth entrepreneurship. The FCA campus, known for its interdisciplinary focus and strong links to local communities, was identified as a promising site for joint case studies and student mobility initiatives under the SocEnt Partners 2025 program.
📘 Learn more about the Satellite Laboratory for Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainability: https://spb.hse.ru/soc/reputationlab/socentr
📄 Read the latest analytical reports: https://spb.hse.ru/en/soc/reputationlab/analyt
