A Theory of change framework for Caribbean resilience and sustainability through social entrepreneurship

Abstract

Traditional sectoral efforts for social development (SD) in Latin America and the Caribbean have largely failed to produce significant results, prompting the introduction of the Transformational Theory of Change (TToC) as a new approach to address socioeconomic decline and environmental degradation while achieving SD and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This conceptual paper is grounded in a literature review of social entrepreneurship and effective SD practices, which informs the development of the TToC. The findings emphasize the importance of a collaborative, multi-sectoral approach and the role of social enterprises in enhancing resilience and promoting national SD, although such collaborative efforts are scarce in the Caribbean, highlighting the need for the Transformational Change Pathway (TCP) and Collaboration Relationship Enabler (CRE). This TToC is the first of its kind at the national level, advocating for entrepreneurial change at the organizational level to foster resilience, with the TCP and CRE enhancing its applicability and providing a model for SD in developing contexts. However, a key limitation is the lack of genuine collaboration between businesses, governments, and social sector organizations (SSOs), necessitating further research to validate the TToC and its supporting frameworks. By transforming SSOs into social enterprises, the Caribbean can enhance social sector resilience, contributing to national SD and the SDGs, with potential applicability beyond the region.