There is so much hype these days about social enterprise, Benefit Corporations, L3C companies, impact investing and the idea that business methods will save the planet and end poverty, that I decided to take a look at whether all these efforts are leading to major positive social change.
Based on what I found out, I'd have to say that so far, it would be pretty hard to answer in the affirmative. You can read the full article here:http://www.ssireview.org/blog/entry/jessica_alba_and_the_impact_of_social_enterprise
Now, absence of evidence is by no means the same thing as evidence of absence, so maybe all these new social businesses are doing great things and simply not telling the world. Which is a shame, since a) we'd all like to know and b) they are required to do so by the enabling legislation.