Framing Problems
Framing Problems
Framing Problems
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Business Ethics
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J Bus Ethics (2018) 151:279-293
https://doi.org/10.1007/sl0551-016-3252-l
Abstract Social entrepreneurship (SE) is perceived as a Social entrepreneurship (SE) is fundamentally about find-
legitimate and innovative solution to social problems. Yet, ing novel solutions to complex social problems (Dey and
when one looks at the literature one finds that the social Steyaert 2012). This purpose connects SE to the study of
problems that the SE movement seeks to address and howsocial problems and social movements; yet, a link between
these problems are identified and defined are not studied.these disciplines is not readily apparent in the literature.
While the relevance for SE of social movement tactics such
This lack of attention to the defining of social problems in
as framing has been mentioned (Mair and Marti 2006),
SE has implications for the domain for problems do not
"unfortunately, both social movement and SE literatures
exist unless they are recognized and defined, and those that
define problems have influence on how these will eventu-appear to have developed quite independently of each
ally be addressed. Our paper presents an analysis of
other" (Broek et al. 2012, p. 215). A distinction between
framing activities in SE done by the actors involved in thethe two streams of research is that "SE focuses more on
development and promotion of the SE movement. Ourrecognizing and evaluating opportunities that are worth
analysis reveals that these actors are concerned with cre-exploiting, whereas social movement literature mostly
ating an ecosystem to support social entrepreneurs. Critical
starts with the premise that there is a social cause to fight
for" (Broek et al. 2012, p. 216). Social causes and the
analysis of discourses of these actors reveals a powerful
mobilization discourse, one that supports social entrepre- framing processes surrounding their fight for recognition
neurs as the agents of change. We also find that as the SEare political power arenas that produce defining activities
movement emerged at the beginning of a cycle of protest for social problems, and therefore merit further examina-
against capitalist systems, their framing of SE as systemtion in the SE field.
changing of these very systems therefore finds strong res- We argue in this paper that a connection between SE
onance with a wide variety of actors. research, social problems theory, and social movement
theory - in particular, the use of framing processes - could
Keywords Social entrepreneurship • Social problems • help account for how SE is positioned and promoted at a
Social movement theory • Framing processes • Critical macro-level. We examine SE as a social movement in and
discourse analysis of itself that has been touted as a legitimate solution for any
range of complex social problems (Nicholls 2010). While
multiple definitions for social movements exist, they typi-
cally refer to collective action aiming to invoke or resist
some form of social change. Diani (1992) argues that social
E3 Chantal Hervieux
movements share the following characteristics: a network
Chantal. hervieux @ smu.ca
of informal interactions, engagement in some form of
Annika Voltan
political or cultural conflict, and a shared collective iden-
annikavoltan @ gmail .com
tity. Social movements are distinct from political parties or
1 Sobey School of Business, Saint Mary's University, advocacy groups, although activism plays an important role
923 Robie St., Halifax, NS B3H3C3, Canada in mobilizing efforts. As a movement, SE challenges the
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280 C. Hervieux, A. Voltan
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Framing Social Problems in Social Entrepreneurship 281
Social Movementprocesses
problem identified, and the framing Theory that con-
tribute to its salience.
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282 C. Hervieux, A. Voltan
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Framing Social Problems in Social Entrepreneurship 283
Ashoka http://www.ashoka.org To support social entrepreneurs who are leading and 1980 by Bill Drayton Global
collaborating with changemakers, in a team of teams
model that addresses the fluidity of a rapidly evolving
society. Ashoka believes that anyone can learn and apply
the critical skills of empathy, team work, leadership and
changemaking to be successful in the modern world
The Skoll Foundation http://skoll. The Skoll Foundation drives large-scale change by investing 1999 by Jeff Skoll Global
org/ in, connecting, and celebrating social entrepreneurs and
innovators who help them solve the world's most pressing
problems
The Schwab Foundation for Social The Schwab Foundation provides unparalleled platforms at 1998, under the legal Global
Entrepreneurship http://www. the regional and global level to highlight and advance supervision of the Swiss
schwabfound.org/ leading models of sustainable social innovation. It Federal Government
identifies a select community of social entrepreneurs and
engages it in shaping global, regional and industry agendas
that improve the state of the world in close collaboration
with the other stakeholders of the World Economic Forum
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284 C. Hervieux, A. Voltan
Coding Process
Diagnostic framing consists of finding the cause of the
problematic situation and/or attributing blame or causality.
Although the intent
While problem and
identification may easily attain consensus, epi
erally well defined
the attribution of blame is typicallyand more contested.und
methodological
Prognostic framingapproach
focuses on the articulation of proposed ap
researchers to
solutionsadopt
to the problem, as well asthe
the identificationmost
of
the purposes of
strategies, their
tactics and targets - i.e. how the solutionstudy
should
Following be implemented.
this logic, While not necessary,
we a connection
condu
selected texts in
between diagnosticthree stages.
and prognostic frames typically exists.
Atlas ti software to
Motivational framing code
pertains to mobilizing efforts overa
and
how social problems are
provides elaboration of a "call to arms bein
or rationale for
phase, we action " (Snow and Benford
analysed 1988, p. 202) and
the offers the
quotati
to more closely examine
appropriate vocabularies for engaging in a social move- the
tributing tothe
ment positioning
and moves beyond the identification of problems and o
the third solutions to actions.
phase, we Accordinganalysed
to Benford and Snow, t
tioning in order
"diagnostic framesto identify
alone, no matter how richly developed, p
tions and do little to affect action mobilization"
privileging of and, "the more
certa
and highly integrated the diagnostic,
entrepreneurial traits.prognostic and action
In the first phase
frames, ofof becoming
the higher the probability coding,
active in
used to separate data
any particular cause" (2000, p. 203). Theseinto
core framing th
identified bytasksBenford
allow social movements to address both consensus
and Sno
Benford and action mobilization
1988): diagnostic, needs (Benford and Snow 2000). p
framing Consensusare
(these mobilization further
is "a process through which a ex
lining our research approac
social movement tries to obtain support for its viewpoints"
process was and action mobilization is "the process
complete we by whichrev an
tions to ensure their
organization in a social movementfit with
calls up people to par-
gories. Each ticipate"
group of
(Klandermans 1984, p. 586). fram
second time to identify high-
purpose here was to capture t
of the threeResults
framing activi
elements and discursive tendencies. Efforts were made to
capture the problem(s) and cause(s) in the diagnostic Diagnostic Framing in SE
frames; the proposed solutions, strategies and tactics in
the prognostic frames; and whether an indication of con- The SE movement embodies multiple, yet related elements
sensus mobilization and/or action mobilization existed in in terms of how problems are identified and blame is
the motivational frames. attributed. The first diagnostic frame that emerged in the
analysis is connected to the need for realignment and
change of the capitalist model. The capitalist model is said
Research Approach to be failing because the organizational models it promotes
are not suited to today's rapidly changing complex sys-
Our analysis and discussion are guided by the model tems. The second diagnostic frame relates to inadequate
developed by Snow and Benford (1988) for assessing the funding models for social organizations.
mobilizing potential of a social movement's framing
efforts and activities. It includes four sets of factors: core Need for Change
framing tasks, infrastructural constraints of belief systems,
phenomenological constraints, and cycles of protest. Our The first diagnostic frame (simplified here as the "need for
analysis and results are presented according to the first setchange " perspective) is clearest in the discourse of Ashoka
of factors, which speaks to the robustness, completeness and its founder, Bill Drayton. However, as we will see in
and thoroughness of the framing effort, and defines threethe proceeding section, this notion of a need for change re-
core framing tasks: diagnostic, prognostic and motiva-emerges as a proposed solution that is promoted by each of
tional framing. Our following discussion section is based the actors studied. Aligning with the diagnostic proposed
on the three other elements of Snow and Benford' s (1988) by Ashoka, organizations still dominating the capitalist
model. model represent a past era, one where the dominant logic
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Framing Social Problems in Social Entrepreneurship 285
Prognostic
for competitive advantage rested on theFraming in SE
ability to achieve
efficiencies (Prahalad 2004). According to Bill Drayton,
While diagnostic
"Although this organizational model still frames are based on the identification
dominates, it is of
problems
failing. The half-life of a Fortune 500and company
their causes, prognostic
getsframing speaks to
shorter
and shorter - that is, the death proposed
rate solutions and tactics
of these for addressing
slow-to those prob-
change
giants is accelerating" (2013, p.lems.
2). At a high capitalist
This level, consensus exists amongst the SE
system,
where a few giant organizations dominate,
support organizations pertaining and where
to an acknowledged need
"specialized repetition" was afor source
systems levelof efficiency
change, and
and the important role of indi-
success, is now criticized for its slowness.
vidual social entrepreneurs in affecting that change. As
This diagnostic frame emphasizes that
noted, not all actors frame as
theirsystems
diagnostic according to the
need to
change more rapidly, so too does thechallenge
need existing
for capitalist
actors systems,
cap-but each
able of embracing this change. The
includes organizations
the need sup-
for change in their proposed solutions.
porting SE and practitioners themselves
These solutions pertain to predict that
connecting actors for system
change, that
"within 10 years, any organization while keeping the social
is not an entrepreneur
actor for central to
change will be lost" (Le Monde 2014).
achieving this goal.This
The need is because
for an ecosystem approach
while there has always been change,
for affecting"the paceasof
change emerges change
the first prognostic is
frame,
and the main strategy
accelerating in an increasingly complex and favoured by SE support organiza-
interconnected
world" (Ashoka website). "To be
tions. sure,
Within the
it, more specificworld has robust
tactics for building
ecosystems areis
always been in flux. But the increase promoted,
now which includeexpo-
truly education and the
nential. As Drayton explains,need
"change
for favourable begets change
, supportive environments. Theas
second
much as repetition reinforces prognostic
repetition".
frame is connected
In factto the diagnostic
flux is frame of
inadequate fundingworld"
"the one constant" in our ever-changing models, and (Malinsky
speaks to the role of
2012). funding sources and types for supporting the SE
movement.
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286 C. Hervieux, A. Voltan
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Framing Social Problems in Social Entrepreneurship 287
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288 C. Hervieux, A. Voltan
participate by
framing activities
providing
and discourses in the SE movement, as gr
sector illustrated in Fig. 1. Diagnostic
companies are framingalso
highlighted a in
innovative need to realign capitalist
social systems based on rapidly
entreprene
area" (Schwab
changing complex website).
systems, and failing funding models. T
Schwab In prognostic framing, the actors
platforms to proposefeatu
the need for
preneurs andsystem the
level change. An academic
ecosystem approach is proposed s
research andto promote SE through education and an infrastructure
knowledge on
Skoll has similarly target
that provides needed resources for success, particularly
action. They funding. While some focus on funding
engage in via grants
storis
Institute, asretained,
well impact investing
as and earned income are more
throug
media representative
outlets. of the funding modelalso
They promoted by the SE
for
which they social movement.
seek Motivationaltoframing builds
partnon the
opportunitiesdiagnostic and prognostic
identified frames by positioning social a
change, and entrepreneurs
partner as central to the movement's
with success, and "l
Ashoka by providingwebsite).
(Skoll direction to those who would like to join As
ipation and participate.
through their fram
can changemaker" be a
Highly integrated discourses through the three framing (A
identifying activities lead to an increased probability of activity in
opportunities f
in the social movements and success of mobilization
movement by efforts
joini
teering to (Benford and Snow 2000).
work with Yet, framing activity is not the
social
individuals only
and corporatio
element that affects mobilizing potential. Snow and
are invited Benford'
to s (1988) model
nominate consists of three additional ele- t
cessful ments (see Fig. 2) that help
attributes of to better understand the
social e
mobilization power of the discourses promoted through the
framing processes of the SE movement.
Discussion
The SE Movement and Infrastructural Constraints
This paper aims to recognize SE as a social movement in
and of itself, whose key proponents include SE support
Infrastructural constraints pertain to the structure of the
belief system within which the movement seeks to align.
organizations and their networks. As such, we argue the
Two main external constraints can limit the appeal and
importance of examining the claim-making activities and
framing processes of the movement's advocates to offer
action potential of framing processes: centrality, and range
critical insight to its development and positioning. and
Our interrelatedness. Centrality pertains to the level of
framing analysis highlights the interconnectednesssalience
of held by the values or beliefs of the movement
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Framing Social Problems in Social Entrepreneurship 289
Phenomenological
f Constraints: '
f Empirical Credibility 1
V Experential Commensurability J
Narrative Fidelity
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290 C. Hervieux, A. Voltan
Benford movements
1988, p.exist that have a widespread
207). effect on social
Empiric
test and verify the
change during that time. Asframing
a result, the degree to which i
events. the movement resonates with
Experiential the cycle of protest and the
commensu
the movement
point inframing relates
the cycle at which it emerges are important for its
of potential participants
potential success. If the movement materializesand
early in the t
solutions credible. Narrative
cycle it can have an important defining effect for future f
the framing movements,
aligns and generatewith
what is referred tocultu
as master
myths, folk tales)
frames. Alternatively,that
if the movement appears
inform later in the
are understood. cycle it risksThe
being constrainedSE movem
by the master frames that
fied success stories, such as the Grameen Bank, which already exist. In the case of SE, we view it as embedded in
serve as validation for its potential to solve widespread the cycle of protest surrounding the legitimacy of the
social problems via innovative models like microfinance. capitalist model, given that "the field of business has
By emphasizing a business-like narrative and touting the recently come under an unprecedented level of criticism in
social entrepreneur as a hero (Nicholls 2010) with light of its role in a number of social, ecological, and
descriptions such as "ambitious", "opportunistic", "re- economic issues present in today's society" (Valente 2012,
sourceful", etc., advocates are using a familiar language p. 563). This association has called into question the fun-
that resonates with those who value innovation and damental assumptions and practices of business such as
entrepreneurship. executive compensation and perpetual shareholder wealth
As we have seen through our analysis of tactics and the environmental impacts of firm operations, and
creation,
the role
actions promoted by the actors studied, they all make useof business in society (Porter and Kramer 2011).
of the media to help promote the success stories ofAs a movement, SE has arguably emerged at an
their
own network of social entrepreneurs. They also featuretime in the cycle, positioning it as a solution to
opportune
identified
profiles of social entrepreneurs recognized as successful - problems and an originator of master frames.
in the words of one actor this means the individual must Evidence of the power of the mobilizing discourse of the
"not only [be] financially sustainable but [...] also
initial actors of the SE movement as a master frame can be
demonstrate a sustainable business model and a proven found in the replication of their ideas in emerging organi-
track record" (Schwab website). The actors within the zations.
SE An increasing number of SE support organizations
are adopting the systems change and investment dis-
social movement therefore put much emphasis in demon-
strating the "empirical credibility" (Snow and Benfordcourses. For example, two relatively new SE support
organizations - the Moroccan Center for Innovation and
1988) of their model by featuring these social entrepre-
neurs on their websites, celebrating their successes, SE and the Tunisian Center for SE (both founded in
2012) - reference system-changing ideas as a desired out-
engaging with the media by providing materials to feature
come of their efforts.
success stories. Alliances and partnerships with universities
for research on SE, as well as promotion of university
research that tests and verifies SE claims, further helps to
build empirical credibility for the movement. Academic Conclusion
research has itself been criticized for being based on
"immediate 'use value' (as defined from the perspectiveSnow of and Benford (1988) propose that the mobilizing
ruling power)", leading to a context where "any radical potential of a social movement is related to how well
enactments of the social are sacrificed to the ostensible participants address the elements linked to four sets of
'real-life' pressures of the day" (Dey and Steyaert 2012, factors: core framing tasks, infrastructural constraints of
p. 91). Regardless of the position taken, current belief SE systems, phenomenological constraints, and cycles
research brings empirical support and validation to ofthe
protest. As illustrated, the SE movement is built on
mobilization discourse of the SE movement, thereby powerful, interconnected and well-supported discourses
enhancing its motivational power. that favour system level change through the creation of a
supportive ecosystem, to which they invite others to par-
The SE Movement and Cycles of Protest ticipate. The framing activities of the actors are well inte-
grated, and the consensus seeking and action mobilization
discourses align with the movement's identified problems,
The final set of factors termed "cycles of protest" is based
on work by Tarrow (1983a, b) and refers to general
claims, and proposed solutions.
movement activity in society, in which specific social
The mobilization power of the SE movement is further
increased by it alignment with the values and belief sys-
movements are often embedded. Snow et al. (1986) argue
that within historical eras, one or two overarching
tems of those they invite to participate. Thus while there is
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Framing Social Problems in Social Entrepreneurship 293
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