Abstract
Information technology and communication can expedite the assessment process of Portugal’s current economic situation, and subsequently of families diagnosed as poor, in order to optimize the redistribution of non-perishable goods in the context of a social market. By centralizing asset management in various institutions of social solidarity we can improve the efficiency of the allocations of goods. This article aims to present the importance of a technological platform to support the social market. This project was developed under an information modelling organizational analysis based on the current situation, as well as the assumptions of the operations needs of the future information system, which are involved in designing various institutions of social solidarity in the District of Setúbal. The added value of information system in the context of the social market relate to centralized management of information thereby allowing the reuse of non-perishable goods.
TopSocial Entrepreneurship
There is a shared consensus today that social entrepreneurship constitutes an emerging field in entrepreneurship studies (Swedberg, 2000; Dees, 1998; Fowler, 2000).
Social entrepreneurship is a concept applied to a number of organizations that have created models for efficiently meeting human needs where existing markets have failed (Seelos and Mair, 2005). The approach is based on the adoption of innovative practices (social innovation) that take advantage of market opportunities for solving local problems and meeting local needs in a way that delivers sustainable advantages (Carvalho 2003). Social Entrepreneurship has been developed in several different contexts. However, most studies refer to the public domain (Lewis, 1980; King and Roberts, 1987). Similarly, some authors have studied the development of community models, which support poor and socially vulnerable groups (Cornwall, 1998).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Social Market: A market where a set of organizations cooperate to produce or distribute goods or services that create social value.
Social Entrepreneurship: The adoption of innovative practices (social innovation) taking advantage of market opportunities for solving the local problems/needs of the surrounding community, bringing them sustainable gains.
Modelling Information: Designed representation of relationships, rule and operations to specify data semantics for a chosen project.
Asset Sharing: Asset sharing among institutions with focus on populations needs.
Donor: Person or persons who provide assets, goods or time to other person in need.
System Information Prototype: Model prototype information system designed regarding to the interviews conducted with partners.
Process Modelling: Modelling process performed by all project partners in joint sessions of brains storming.
Social Network: The set of norms, values and different networks that influence the development of social outcomes.
VPN: A virtual private network where all partners can share information through a private channel of communication.