We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Chris Rawson,
Subra Ananthram,
Jo Li Tay,
and
Danelle Cross
This course will benefit individuals who are passionate about social justice and creating social impact with a view to transforming the lives of the underserved. From social entrepreneurs, to those employed in a not-for-profit, and entrepreneurs who value corporate social responsibility/sustainability within a business/government, this course will allow you to gain the relevant knowledge, tools and skill-sets to further your passion for social change.
Read more
This course will benefit individuals who are passionate about social justice and creating social impact with a view to transforming the lives of the underserved. From social entrepreneurs, to those employed in a not-for-profit, and entrepreneurs who value corporate social responsibility/sustainability within a business/government, this course will allow you to gain the relevant knowledge, tools and skill-sets to further your passion for social change.
Read more
This course will benefit individuals who are passionate about social justice and creating social impact with a view to transforming the lives of the underserved. From social entrepreneurs, to those employed in a not-for-profit, and entrepreneurs who value corporate social responsibility/sustainability within a business/government, this course will allow you to gain the relevant knowledge, tools and skill-sets to further your passion for social change.
Throughout the course, there is in-depth interviews with four successful social entrepreneurs, Selco in India, Friendship in Bangladesh, Edible Garden City in Singapore and Greenbatch in Perth, Australia. Each of these social ventures has a clearly identifiable social mission and they have generously shared insights as to how they balance social aspirations with financial viability and how they have achieved scalabilty whilst minimising operational costs.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/wwf369/disciplined
What's inside
Learning objectives
- Summarise the importance of social entrepreneurship
- Explain how social entrepreneurships differ from traditional entrepreneurships
- Use design thinking to generate solutions for a social problem
- Delineate the characteristics of effective social entrepreneurs
- Explore the different types of social entrepreneurships including structures and business models, and
- Apply the disciplined entrepreneurship approach from ideation to developing the product plan
- After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Summarise the importance of social entrepreneurship
- Explain how social entrepreneurships differ from traditional entrepreneurships
- Use design thinking to generate solutions for a social problem
- Delineate the characteristics of effective social entrepreneurs
- Explore the different types of social entrepreneurships including structures and business models, and
- Apply the disciplined entrepreneurship approach from ideation to developing the product plan
- After completing this course, you will be able to:
Syllabus
Module 1 - Fundamentals of social entrepreneurship (Part 1)
identify the key features of social entrepreneurship
differentiate between social entrepreneurship and traditional entrepreneurship
Read more
Syllabus
Module 1 - Fundamentals of social entrepreneurship (Part 1)
identify the key features of social entrepreneurship
differentiate between social entrepreneurship and traditional entrepreneurship
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Develops your understanding of social entrepreneurship from its fundamentals to sophisticated methods
Provides real-world examples of social entrepreneurship through interviews with successful social entrepreneurs
In-depth case studies of social ventures illustrate how to balance social goals with financial sustainability
Covers design thinking to help you generate solutions for social problems
Demonstrates how to use a disciplined approach to entrepreneurship, from ideation to product development
Suitable for both beginners and those wanting to enhance their social entrepreneurship skills
Save this course
Create your own learning path.
Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save
Save
Reviews summary
Disciplined approach to social entrepreneurship: practical insights
According to students, this course offers a highly practical and comprehensive guide to social entrepreneurship. Learners particularly praise the in-depth interviews with successful social entrepreneurs, which provide invaluable real-world insights into balancing social mission with financial viability. The disciplined entrepreneurship framework is highlighted as a powerful tool, providing a clear roadmap from ideation to developing a product plan. Students consistently find the course well-structured and actionable, making it an essential resource for aspiring social change-makers. The content effectively blends academic rigor with direct applicability, equipping learners with the necessary tools and strategies for sustainable social impact.
Directly applicable for those pursuing social change.
"The content is highly relevant for anyone looking to make a social impact..."
"I loved how this course differentiated social entrepreneurship from traditional business. It really highlights the unique challenges and opportunities."
"This course provided me with the tools and mindset to approach social problems with an entrepreneurial lens."
"Highly recommend this course for anyone interested in social change."
Covers all essential aspects of social entrepreneurship.
"Very well-structured and comprehensive. I found the modules on market segmentation and business models extremely valuable."
"It's incredibly thorough, covering everything from initial ideation to overcoming common obstacles."
"The course is very well-organized, and the content flows logically."
"This course provided me with the tools and mindset to approach social problems with an entrepreneurial lens."
Provides invaluable insights from successful practitioners.
"The interviews with successful social entrepreneurs were a highlight, offering real-world insights into balancing mission and financial viability."
"The case studies were well-integrated and provided excellent examples."
"The interviews alone are worth the price of admission. They provide such authentic, unfiltered insights."
"I particularly appreciated the deep dives into how social ventures achieve scalability were particularly enlightening."
Offers a disciplined approach with actionable strategies.
"The content is highly relevant for anyone looking to make a social impact, blending strong theoretical frameworks with incredibly practical tools."
"I particularly appreciated the 'disciplined approach' framework, which breaks down complex ideation into actionable steps."
"It's not just theory; it provides a clear roadmap for developing a sustainable social enterprise."
"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Disciplined Approach to Social Entrepreneurship with these
activities:
Read Social Entrepreneurship: What Everyone Needs to Know
Show steps
Gain insights from experts in the field by reading a seminal book on social entrepreneurship that provides a comprehensive overview of the topic.
View
Social Entrepreneurship: What Everyone Needs to...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read the book and take notes on the key concepts.
-
Summarize the main arguments of the book.
-
Identify the key challenges and opportunities for social entrepreneurs.
Attend a social entrepreneurship workshop
Show steps
Connect with like-minded individuals and learn from experienced social entrepreneurs by attending a workshop on social entrepreneurship.
Browse courses on
Social Entrepreneurship
Show steps
-
Find a social entrepreneurship workshop in your area.
-
Register for the workshop and attend.
-
Participate actively in the workshop and take notes.
Form a study group with other students
Show steps
Enhance your understanding of course concepts and build a support network by forming a study group with other students enrolled in the course.
Browse courses on
Social Entrepreneurship
Show steps
-
Identify other students who are interested in forming a study group.
-
Set up regular meeting times and a study schedule.
-
Discuss course materials, review notes, and work on assignments together.
Nine other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 12 activities
Design Thinking Exercise
Show steps
Enables you to apply design thinking principles to a real-world social problem, fostering a deeper understanding of its methodology.
Browse courses on
User-Centered Design
Show steps
-
Identify: Choose a social problem that you are passionate about.
-
Research: Gather data and conduct interviews to understand the problem thoroughly.
-
Ideate: Brainstorm and generate potential solutions using design thinking techniques.
-
Prototype: Create a basic prototype or model of your solution.
-
Test: Evaluate and refine your prototype based on feedback from users.
Complete the Google Social Entrepreneurship Certificate
Show steps
Supplement your course learning with a structured online certificate program that offers practical guidance and case studies on social entrepreneurship.
Browse courses on
Social Entrepreneurship
Show steps
-
Enroll in the Google Social Entrepreneurship Certificate.
-
Complete the online modules and assignments.
-
Apply the concepts you learn to your own social venture or social impact project.
Volunteer for a social enterprise
Show steps
Gain practical experience in the field of social entrepreneurship by volunteering for an organization that is working to solve a social problem.
Browse courses on
Social Entrepreneurship
Show steps
-
Identify a social enterprise that you are interested in.
-
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
-
Attend a volunteer orientation and training.
-
Participate in volunteer activities and make a meaningful contribution.
Value Proposition Analysis
Show steps
Sharpens your ability to define a compelling value proposition and identify your target market.
Browse courses on
Value Proposition
Show steps
-
Analyze: Examine case studies and examples of successful social ventures.
-
Define: Create a value proposition for a social enterprise idea of your own.
-
Segment: Identify and describe your target customer segments.
-
Validate: Test your value proposition and market assumptions through surveys or interviews.
Contribute to an open-source social entrepreneurship platform
Show steps
Make a direct contribution to the social entrepreneurship community by participating in open-source projects that support social ventures.
Browse courses on
Social Entrepreneurship
Show steps
-
Identify an open-source social entrepreneurship platform that you are interested in.
-
Join the community and learn about the project.
-
Find a way to contribute to the project, such as by writing code, designing UI, or translating content.
Community Engagement Project
Show steps
Allows you to apply your learning in a practical setting and gain valuable experience in the field of social entrepreneurship.
Show steps
-
Identify: Find a community organization that aligns with your interests and skills.
-
Connect: Contact the organization and express your interest in volunteering.
-
Contribute: Actively participate in projects or programs, providing support to the organization's mission.
-
Reflect: Observe and document your experiences, reflecting on the challenges and rewards of social entrepreneurship.
Design a social venture
Show steps
Solidify your understanding of the concepts of social entrepreneurship and social innovation by designing a social venture that addresses a specific social problem.
Browse courses on
Social Entrepreneurship
Show steps
-
Identify a social problem that you are passionate about solving.
-
Research the problem and the existing solutions.
-
Develop a solution that is both innovative and sustainable.
-
Create a business plan for your social venture.
-
Pitch your social venture to potential investors.
Develop a social impact plan
Show steps
Synthesize your learning by developing a comprehensive social impact plan that outlines your social venture's goals, strategies, and measurement indicators.
Browse courses on
Social Impact
Show steps
-
Define your social venture's mission and goals.
-
Identify the target population and the social problem that you are addressing.
-
Develop a strategy for achieving your goals.
-
Identify key performance indicators to measure the impact of your social venture.
-
Create a budget and a timeline for your social venture.
Social Impact Business Plan
Show steps
Provides hands-on experience in developing a comprehensive business plan for a social enterprise, integrating all course concepts into a practical application.
Browse courses on
Social Impact Assessment
Show steps
-
Research: Study different types of social enterprise models and their success factors.
-
Develop: Outline your business idea, including its mission, goals, and target market.
-
Analyze: Conduct a market and competitive analysis to identify opportunities and challenges.
-
Design: Plan your operations, including marketing, sales, and financial strategies.
-
Present: Present your business plan to a panel of experts for feedback and guidance.
Read Social Entrepreneurship: What Everyone Needs to Know
Show steps
Gain insights from experts in the field by reading a seminal book on social entrepreneurship that provides a comprehensive overview of the topic.
View
Social Entrepreneurship: What Everyone Needs to...
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the book and take notes on the key concepts.
- Summarize the main arguments of the book.
- Identify the key challenges and opportunities for social entrepreneurs.
Attend a social entrepreneurship workshop
Show steps
Connect with like-minded individuals and learn from experienced social entrepreneurs by attending a workshop on social entrepreneurship.
Browse courses on
Social Entrepreneurship
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a social entrepreneurship workshop in your area.
- Register for the workshop and attend.
- Participate actively in the workshop and take notes.
Form a study group with other students
Show steps
Enhance your understanding of course concepts and build a support network by forming a study group with other students enrolled in the course.
Browse courses on
Social Entrepreneurship
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify other students who are interested in forming a study group.
- Set up regular meeting times and a study schedule.
- Discuss course materials, review notes, and work on assignments together.
Nine other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 12 activities
Design Thinking Exercise
Show steps
Enables you to apply design thinking principles to a real-world social problem, fostering a deeper understanding of its methodology.
Browse courses on
User-Centered Design
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify: Choose a social problem that you are passionate about.
- Research: Gather data and conduct interviews to understand the problem thoroughly.
- Ideate: Brainstorm and generate potential solutions using design thinking techniques.
- Prototype: Create a basic prototype or model of your solution.
- Test: Evaluate and refine your prototype based on feedback from users.
Complete the Google Social Entrepreneurship Certificate
Show steps
Supplement your course learning with a structured online certificate program that offers practical guidance and case studies on social entrepreneurship.
Browse courses on
Social Entrepreneurship
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Enroll in the Google Social Entrepreneurship Certificate.
- Complete the online modules and assignments.
- Apply the concepts you learn to your own social venture or social impact project.
Volunteer for a social enterprise
Show steps
Gain practical experience in the field of social entrepreneurship by volunteering for an organization that is working to solve a social problem.
Browse courses on
Social Entrepreneurship
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify a social enterprise that you are interested in.
- Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
- Attend a volunteer orientation and training.
- Participate in volunteer activities and make a meaningful contribution.
Value Proposition Analysis
Show steps
Sharpens your ability to define a compelling value proposition and identify your target market.
Browse courses on
Value Proposition
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Analyze: Examine case studies and examples of successful social ventures.
- Define: Create a value proposition for a social enterprise idea of your own.
- Segment: Identify and describe your target customer segments.
- Validate: Test your value proposition and market assumptions through surveys or interviews.
Contribute to an open-source social entrepreneurship platform
Show steps
Make a direct contribution to the social entrepreneurship community by participating in open-source projects that support social ventures.
Browse courses on
Social Entrepreneurship
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify an open-source social entrepreneurship platform that you are interested in.
- Join the community and learn about the project.
- Find a way to contribute to the project, such as by writing code, designing UI, or translating content.
Community Engagement Project
Show steps
Allows you to apply your learning in a practical setting and gain valuable experience in the field of social entrepreneurship.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify: Find a community organization that aligns with your interests and skills.
- Connect: Contact the organization and express your interest in volunteering.
- Contribute: Actively participate in projects or programs, providing support to the organization's mission.
- Reflect: Observe and document your experiences, reflecting on the challenges and rewards of social entrepreneurship.
Design a social venture
Show steps
Solidify your understanding of the concepts of social entrepreneurship and social innovation by designing a social venture that addresses a specific social problem.
Browse courses on
Social Entrepreneurship
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify a social problem that you are passionate about solving.
- Research the problem and the existing solutions.
- Develop a solution that is both innovative and sustainable.
- Create a business plan for your social venture.
- Pitch your social venture to potential investors.
Develop a social impact plan
Show steps
Synthesize your learning by developing a comprehensive social impact plan that outlines your social venture's goals, strategies, and measurement indicators.
Browse courses on
Social Impact
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Define your social venture's mission and goals.
- Identify the target population and the social problem that you are addressing.
- Develop a strategy for achieving your goals.
- Identify key performance indicators to measure the impact of your social venture.
- Create a budget and a timeline for your social venture.
Social Impact Business Plan
Show steps
Provides hands-on experience in developing a comprehensive business plan for a social enterprise, integrating all course concepts into a practical application.
Browse courses on
Social Impact Assessment
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research: Study different types of social enterprise models and their success factors.
- Develop: Outline your business idea, including its mission, goals, and target market.
- Analyze: Conduct a market and competitive analysis to identify opportunities and challenges.
- Design: Plan your operations, including marketing, sales, and financial strategies.
- Present: Present your business plan to a panel of experts for feedback and guidance.
Career center
Learners who complete Disciplined Approach to Social Entrepreneurship will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Social Entrepreneur
Social Entrepreneur
Social entrepreneurs want to make the world a better place. They think like entrepreneurs and understand marketing, business plans, and budgeting. However, they work to achieve social objectives instead of making a profit. This course may be useful for individuals interested in starting their own social enterprise. It provides foundational knowledge in social entrepreneurship and shows how to develop a product plan.
Nonprofit Director
Nonprofit Director
Nonprofit directors lead nonprofit organizations that are not government-run. These leaders manage programs and staff to make a social impact. This course may be useful for people who wish to lead a nonprofit organization. It gives insight into the different types of social entrepreneurship.
Social Worker
Social Worker
Social workers help people overcome obstacles to improve their lives. They work with individuals, families, groups, and communities.
Community Organizer
Community Organizer
Community organizers mobilize people to work together to improve their communities. They work on issues such as affordable housing, education, and healthcare.
Policy Analyst
Policy Analyst
Policy analysts research and analyze policies to inform decision-making. They work in a variety of settings, including government, nonprofits, and businesses.
Program Manager
Program Manager
Program managers plan and implement programs to achieve specific goals. They work in a variety of settings, including nonprofits, businesses, and government.
Grant Writer
Grant Writer
Grant writers write proposals to secure funding for nonprofits and other organizations.
Fundraising Manager
Fundraising Manager
Fundraising managers plan and execute fundraising campaigns for nonprofits and other organizations.
Social Impact Consultant
Social Impact Consultant
Social impact consultants help businesses and organizations measure and improve their social impact.
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability managers develop and implement strategies to reduce the environmental impact of businesses and organizations.
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Corporate social responsibility managers develop and implement strategies to improve the social and environmental performance of businesses.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientist
Environmental scientists study the environment and develop solutions to environmental problems.
Public Health Educator
Public Health Educator
Public health educators develop and implement programs to promote health and prevent disease.
Education Consultant
Education Consultant
Education consultants help schools and other organizations improve their educational programs.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Manager
Marketing managers develop and implement marketing campaigns to promote products and services.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/wwf369/disciplined
Reading list
We've selected 13 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Disciplined Approach to Social Entrepreneurship.
Provides a comprehensive overview of social entrepreneurship, with a focus on the theory of change approach. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the field.
Introduces the concept of the "lean startup" approach, which method for developing and testing new business ideas quickly and efficiently.
Save
Provides a practical guide to getting customers for your new business.
Introduces the concept of design thinking, which human-centered approach to problem solving.
Explores the concept of the "innovator's dilemma", which is the tendency of large companies to be slow to adopt new technologies.
Save
Provides a framework for developing good strategy.
Identifies the five dysfunctions that can prevent a team from being successful.
Provides practical advice for entrepreneurs on how to build a successful business.
Provides a unique perspective on how to build a successful startup.
Provides a framework for marketing and selling technology products to mainstream customers.
Provides a sequel to "The Innovator's Dilemma" and explores how to create and sustain successful growth.
Provides a guide to designing and interpreting controlled experiments.
Identifies the common dilemmas that founders face and provides advice on how to avoid them.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/wwf369/disciplined
Share
Similar courses
Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Effort
3 to 4 hours per week for 7 weeks
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institution
Curtin University
Instructors
Chris Rawson
Subra Ananthram
Jo Li Tay
Danelle Cross
Language
English
Transcript
English
Our mission
OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.
Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.
Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.
Affiliate disclosure
We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.
Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.
Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.
© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser