SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
BIOGRAPHIES
research and educational initiatives. On the one hand, engagement with society ensures that the school’s educational offerings involve an understanding of the needs and challenges of the community, creating programmes aimed at addressing real-world issues. On the other, it allows universities to conduct research that is meaningful, applicable and have the potential to bring positive change. Involvement in those projects overseen by Impulsum has significantly broadened the school’s network of contacts, extending beyond the national level to include universities in Latin America and Europe, along with supporting organisations, all united in their commitment to advancing social entrepreneurship. This expansion has facilitated meaningful knowledge co-creation, drawing on the diverse experiences and perspectives of each partner institution, which is also helpful in the context of enhancing future projects within the school. Furthermore, by establishing partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including industry, community organisations and government bodies, universities play a crucial role as the essential link connecting social entrepreneurs with the broader ecosystem. This connection facilitates the acquisition of essential resources and leads to an environment where social entrepreneurs can thrive. This way, the university positions itself as a central contributor to societal progress and innovation. Facilitating knowledge dissemination Universities and business schools must navigate uncertainty and changing demands to meet the expectations of their stakeholders. Nowadays, addressing teaching and research challenges alone is insufficient. Universities must also fulfil the imperative of the ‘third mission’, involving collaborative efforts with industry and the systematic application of innovative ideas to support economic growth. Impulsum plays a pivotal role by providing an extensive network and services, enabling student entrepreneurs to overcome the transaction costs associated with starting a business. The social entrepreneurship space enhances the foundational knowledge provided by the Espae curriculum, serving as a catalyst for the creation of knowledge, particularly in the entrepreneurial development process. This synthesis of prior knowledge and the insights offered by Impulsum facilitates the identification and development of new business opportunities for students, as well as extending its impact to the broader external community of entrepreneurs. In this regard, Impulsum has seen more than 20 social entrepreneurs graduate through its programme for social businesses and has identified more than 100 inspiring cases of Ecuadorian social entrepreneurs. Impulsum has indeed played a pivotal role in fostering a community of practice. Student entrepreneurs can gain valuable insights not only from self-critical reflection, but also through interaction within their environment. Moreover, local entrepreneurs outside the university can join and engage with the established learning community. This highlights the essence of entrepreneurs as practitioners operating within interconnected social communities, united by shared beliefs and practices.
Adriana Amaya holds a PhD in international business administration from the Chinese Culture University in Taiwan. She currently serves as an associate professor of innovation and entrepreneurship at Espae and is part of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) team for Ecuador. She is also part of the Ecuadorian team within the European Latin American Network in Support Of Social Entrepreneurs (Elanet) project. Her research primarily focuses on entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, innovation management and product innovation Andrea Samaniego has a PhD in business economics from Vrije Universiteit Brussel. She is a member of the Ecuadorian team within Elanet and has been a professor of entrepreneurship and innovation at Espol, as well as a member of the GEM team for Ecuador. Currently, her research is related to social entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship at the base of the pyramid, which helps companies to develop business partnerships with income-poor communities
Ambition | MARCH/APRIL 2024 | 29
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