The role of social entrepreneurship in driving social change; A case study of the As I Am Foundation

Naeem, Muhammad (2025) The role of social entrepreneurship in driving social change; A case study of the As I Am Foundation. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

This dissertation investigates the role of social entrepreneurship in Ireland, with a focus on AsIAm foundation, the national autism charity, to explore how social entrepreneurs drive societal change, the ways their activities differ from traditional entrepreneurship, and the challenges faced by these entrepreneurs in achieving business goals. Through an extensive literature review and thematic analysis of ten interviews with individuals engaged in with this foundation, the research provides a detailed understanding of how social entrepreneurs work in Ireland to bring change in society.

The literature review highlights conceptual foundations of social entrepreneurship, differentiating it from traditional entrepreneurship in terms of mission, strategies, stakeholder engagement, and impact measurement. It also examines theoretical frameworks such as Schumpeterian Innovation, Social Innovation Theory, and Systems Change Perspective, providing a basis for understanding how social entrepreneurs create transformative outcomes.

The results of thematic analysis have revealed five core themes: commitment to inclusion, differentiated goals and strategies from traditional business models, funding and sustainability challenges, the role of advocacy in societal transformation, and the impact of public attitudes on social change initiatives. Participants consistently highlighted the dual necessity of financial stability and mission-driven focus, while underscoring persistent barriers such as funding insecurity, societal stigma, fragmented policy environments, and organisational identity ambiguity.

The study concludes that while social entrepreneurs like Adam Harris are instrumental in addressing unmet societal needs, their effectiveness depends on overcoming structural and cultural constraints. Recommendations include diversifying income streams, fostering public awareness, developing policy partnerships, and strengthening organisational narratives to clarify hybrid business models.

This research contributes to the existing studies on Irish social entrepreneurship, offering both academic insights and practical guidance for funders, and practitioners which aim to scale social impact in the face of systemic challenges.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Supervisors:	Name Email Delaney, Patrick UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > Economics > Business H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare > Charity Organisations H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > New Business Enterprises
Divisions:	School of Business (- 2025) > Master of Science in Entrepreneurship
Depositing User:	Ciara O'Brien
Date Deposited:	11 Feb 2026 15:11
Last Modified:	11 Feb 2026 15:11
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/9124

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