Capitalism in question: Hill, Addams and Follett as Early Social Entrepreneurship Advocates
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Authors
Leon Prieto
Simone T. A. Phipps
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Type
Journal Article, Academic Journal
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Abstract
Purpose – This article seeks to facilitate a better understanding of the practical and theoretical contributions of Octavia Hill, Jane Addams, and Mary Parker Follett to the field of social entrepreneurship. The work and philosophies of these women, who impacted management in general, and social entrepreneurship in particular, will be examined, as they are three of history’s noteworthy, yet often forgotten social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship advocates.
Design/methodology/approach – Synthesizing articles from history journals, writings about the figures of interest, published works by the figures themselves and other resources, this paper illustrates how Hill, Addams, and Follett made valuable contributions to social entrepreneurship and questioned the rectitude of unadulterated capitalism.
Findings – This paper concludes that Hill, Addams, and Follett refuted the viewpoint that self-interest and single-minded self-survival were the best way to live and to conduct business. Through their words and actions, the women showed that they did indeed bring "capitalism in question" by recognizing the importance of seeking others' interests, and that they valued social entrepreneurship as a means to address societal ills and to aid the disenfranchised.
Originality/value – Social entrepreneurship is a fairly recent term. However, its core tenets have been embodied by key historical figures. This article highlights three of these figures, and uncovers these women’s contributions to the field of social entrepreneurship, which are made evident through their progressive ideologies and their work with housing schemes, settlement houses, and community center development.
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Affiliation Clayton State University