Define the term 'social enterprise'.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2017). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] A social enterprise is a business that has mainly social objectives
2. [1] reinvests profits to benefit society
3. [1] a business whose main focus is not necessarily the making or maximising of profits
4. [1] that pursues the triple bottom line objectives
5. [1] that engages in activities/social objectives such as creating work for the unemployed or producing in an environmentally friendly way
6. (2 marks) Sound definition
7. (1 mark) Partial definition – limited understanding
8. (0 marks) No creditable content
9. NOTE: Questions 1(a) and 1(b) may well attract similar relevant points/information. Repeated material in 1(b) is perfectly acceptable and should be rewarded as long as it is explained or developed as evidence for a brief explanation of distinctive social enterprise aims.
10. [Explanation] a social enterprise may not focus on making profits or maximising profits like a normal business but rather seek to secure enough resources to provide services to the community
11. [Explanation] a social enterprise may seek to achieve a triple bottom line set of objectives rather than simply generate profits or maximise sales, or grow the business
12. [Explanation] a social enterprise may have as its primary purpose the provision of jobs to local disadvantaged citizens who may have difficulty in securing employment in traditional ways
13. [Explanation] a social enterprise may engage in business activities such as sustainable production to support and protect the environment
14. [Explanation] a social enterprise may seek to give employees a 'living wage' and a supportive working environment at the expense of maximising profits
15. Two distinct economic aims, two social aims or two environmental aims are worthy of full marks.
16. Examples may be given but they are NOT required as part of an answer.
17. (3 marks) Sound explanation of two social enterprise aims
18. (2 marks) Sound explanation of one social enterprise aim or two partially explained
19. (1 mark) Partial explanation of one social enterprise aim or a list of two
20. (0 marks) No creditable content