Annals of Regional and Community Studies
Online ISSN : 2189-6860
Print ISSN : 2189-3918
ISSN-L : 2189-3918
Articles
Development of Social Enterprises in Reorganization Process of Public Services:
Based on a Case Study in a Deprived Area in London
Hiroyuki SHIMIZU
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JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2010 Volume 22 Pages 83-96

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Abstract

 The aim of this paper is to examine how social enterprises are different from traditional third sector organizations including NPOs. Some stressed making money in the market as an essential condition of independence of NPOs from governments and some saw social enterprises as a model for NPOs in such context. I think it is one aspect of social enterprises and I am apprehensive that local governments would retreat or abolish the policies on NPO by standing on the inadequate understanding. I try to find another aspect of them in the relationships with a local government under introducing the scheme of local strategic partnership in UK

 I focused on Tower Hamlets area in London. The council started Tower Hamlets Community Plan in 2001 based on Local Government Act 2000 and set Tower Hamlets Partnership as LSP in this area to manage this plan. The procedures of commissioning with third sector organizations are improved in order to achieve the targets of this plan. The targets of this plan are strongly affected by both Local Area Agreement with central government and the reforming of National Health Service. I had interviews with some parts of the council, different types of third sector organizations, social enterprises and infrastructure organizations in this area.

 The research shows that social enterprises have not appeared as a sector or a sub sector in third sector yet. But new aspects of third sector organizations are going to emerge such as providing public services efficiently, managing quality assurance of their services and having accountability for assessments. I think we can see the third sector organizations having such new aspect as social enterprises. We need to consider social enterprises not only in the relationship with the market but in the relationship with governments.

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© 2010 Japan Association of Regional and Community Studies
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