Editorial: Social Entrepreneurship and Digitalization
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Abstract
This editorial introduces the special issue of TEC Empresarial dedicated to exploring the nexus between social entrepreneurship and digitalization. Social entrepreneurship, characterized by its dual mission of social impact and economic sustainability, is increasingly shaped by digital transformation. Digital technologies—ranging from crowdfunding platforms to mobile applications—enable social ventures to mobilize resources, expand their reach, and enhance inclusivity. The editorial synthesizes contributions that address critical aspects related to alternative financing through crowdfunding, digital inclusion of marginalized populations, and the role of education and local ecosystems in fostering social entrepreneurial. The contributions included in the special issue emphasize how digital tools can catalyze empowerment, particularly among women and older adults, while also identifying persistent barriers related to gender and institutional support. The collection advocates for interdisciplinary research that integrates perspectives from ethics, gender studies, and organizational behavior, and calls for participatory approaches to co-develop digital solutions with different stakeholders. By employing diverse methodological to analyze different regional contexts, this issue contributes to a deeper understanding of how digital innovation can contribute to inclusive and sustainable social change.
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The digital version of the journal is registered under the BY-NC-ND 4.0 Creative Commons license. Therefore, this work may be copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
The authors keep the copyright and give the journal the right of the first publication and the possibility of editing, reproducing, distributing, exhibiting and communicating in the country and abroad through printed and electronic means. On the other hand, the author declares to assume the commitment on any litigation or claim related to the rights of intellectual property, exonerating of responsibility to the Business School of the Costa Rica Institute of Technology.
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