Knot-working for Successful Social Business:

Collaboration that Connects Communities and People

Abstract

 Social businesses are business entities which use business methods to address social issues, and are less marketable than for-profit businesses. In previous studies, it has been pointed out that collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders are important for the success of social business. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine measures for smooth collaboration among diverse stakeholders, using the concept of “knot-working”.

 We examined the factors that allow for a “knot-working” model that lead social businesses to success. From the analysis of case studies, we concluded that, in addition to the traditional factors of shared agendas, incentives, and equal relationships, the assignment of roles to stakeholders is an important requirement for the functioning of a proactive and cooperative “knot-working” network.