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Social intrapreneurs

Social intrapreneurs are people who work inside large organisations to develop and promote practical solutions to social or environmental challenges. Social intrapreneurs apply the principles of social entrepreneurship inside a major organisation. They can also be characterised by an ‘insider-outsider’ mindset and approach. One example is Win Sakdinan at Proctor & Gamble who developed the company’s Future Friendly initiative, which helps consumers to save energy, water and packaging with its brands. Another example is the nurses as social entrepreneurs programme developed at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School.

Comments

Stephanie Woo
19 Apr 2011

These "social intrapreneurs" obviously work on a larger scale if they try to promote change from within a large organization or company. I think that these are the people who are driven, motivated and passionate. They are the reason why social change can take place by influencing and impacting others around them in their workplace, which is not always an easy task in a big company. Although I have never heard this word used to describe these individuals before, I don't think that this is an innovative idea (to promote change from within). Although it is commendable and great to hear about some of the initiatives that have taken place from so many social intrapreneurs exisiting today. I think that by using a word to describe these people, it can give a sense of power and authority to help them continue to develop practical solutions to social problems in their workplace. But at some point, this could have the potential to be restricting by setting a standard as well.

Stephanie Woo
19 Apr 2011

These "social intrapreneurs" obviously work on a larger scale if they try to promote change from within a large organization or company. I think that these are the people who are driven, motivated and passionate. They are the reason why social change can take place by influencing and impacting others around them in their workplace, which is not always an easy task in a big company. Although I have never heard this word used to describe these individuals before, I don't think that this is an innovative idea (to promote change from within). Although it is commendable and great to hear about some of the initiatives that have taken place from so many social intrapreneurs exisiting today. I think that by using a word to describe these people, it can give a sense of power and authority to help them continue to develop practical solutions to social problems in their workplace.