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Case Study

Social entrepreneurship on Fogo Island: Searching for new ways in an old continuity (A)

By Daina Mazutis, Brad Hookey and Natalie Slawinski

10 pages

June 2013

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Reference: IMD-3-2360

The Shorefast Foundation is a charitable organization that aims to spark a rural renaissance and promote economic and cultural resilience in the isolated communities of Fogo Island and Change Islands, Newfoundland, Canada, using a social entrepreneurship model. The cases also highlight the importance of rural places as repositories of local knowledge, culture and traditions. The two Shorefast cases illustrate the initial formation of the Foundation and the implementation issues surrounding the building of a multimillion dollar five star Inn. They are best used together as a series, but can be used independently as well. Case A provides information about the socioeconomic background of Fogo Island as well as an in depth profile of the founder of the Shorefast Foundation, Zita Cobb. The case illustrates how the founder of an organization can shape an organization’s goals, vision, and beliefs. It also describes the model of social entrepreneurship that was being proposed and the organizational structure of the Shorefast Foundation and its affiliates as it stood before the construction of the revenue-generating Inn.

Learning Objective

Introduce the concept of business models in general and explore the differences between ‘traditional’ and ‘social entrepreneurship’ business models
Help students understand the link between a founder’s values, beliefs and objectives (managerial preferences) and strategy formulation and implementation
Introduce students to the organizational challenges involved in social entrepreneurship and the tensions to be negotiated between environmental, economic and social goals

Keywords

Social Entrepreneurship, Social Entrepreneur, Leadership, Strategy, Non-profit Organization, Business Model, Sustainability, Non-profit, Tourism, General Management

Settings

Canada
2006

Type

Field Research

Available Languages

English

Related material

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