SEKN Colloquium Highlights Continued Progress

The Social Enterprise Knowledge Network (SEKN) was founded in 2001 with the goal of advancing the frontiers of knowledge and practice in social enterprise. SEKN is a partnership of 10 leading business schools in Latin America and Spain, Harvard Business School, and the AVINA foundation, emphasizing collaboration in research, teaching materials, and educational programs by participating institutions. Members gathered at HBS for the SEKN Research Colloquium in August to mark the close of the group's second research cycle. The colloquium provided an ideal forum to present research findings to the academic and practitioner communities and receive valuable feedback to incorporate.

Professor Roberto Gutiérrez, Universidad de los Andes in Colombia

SEKN was originated by HBS professor James E. Austin and several Latin American colleagues. "The subsequent execution has far exceeded expectations," Austin notes (see sidebar). The two research cycles have yielded two books and more than 60 teaching case studies, among other output. "SEKN is a golden opportunity to do research and learn from other parts of the world, particularly in Latin America," adds Gustavo Herrero (MBA '76), executive director of the HBS Latin America Research Center. "Our alliances have helped us gain a deeper understanding of what goes on there."

The gathering also allowed SEKN members to work on plans for the next research cycle, which will be extended to three years. That research will examine how low-income groups can be effectively engaged in market-based activities that will enhance their lives as consumers, producers, suppliers, and partners in the economic value chain. The goal is to provide sustainability without the need to rely solely on philanthropy.

"The network has evolved into an example of how academics and practitioners can work together," says Professor Roberto Gutiérrez, network leader in charge of SEKN coordination, from the Universidad de los Andes in Colombia. "We want to continue to build SEKN's reputation and be recognized by academics and practitioners for strengthening this area of study in which Harvard has been playing a leadership role for over 10 years."

SEKN Accomplishments

Knowledge Generation: The first two-year research cycle produced a book, Social Partnering in Latin America, and 24 teaching case studies, as well as several other monographs and a multitude of derivative articles. The second cycle has produced a forthcoming book, Seeking Success in Social Enterprise: Smart Practices by Social and Business Organizations in Iberoamerica, and 40 teaching cases.

Institutional Strengthening: The capacity of each member school to conduct research and teaching in social enterprise has been significantly enhanced, through sharing of knowledge and smart practices.

Network Development: SEKN is a strong international organization, recognized as a model by other academic institutions and associations, multilateral agencies, nongovernmental groups, and businesses. It has become increasingly proficient at capturing the economies of scale and scope of the network.

Reach: Through courses, thousands of executive practitioners and students have been trained, and through knowledge dissemination, other research has been stimulated.