Scotland have enthusiastically embraced social enterprises with over two thirds (67%) of people polled in recent Ipsos-MORI survey believing they should have a role in the delivery of public services.
Social enterprise – or business with a social or environmental purpose – is a growing movement generating over £2 billion for Scotland's economy every year and impacting on the lives of people in communities across the nation.
Encouragingly, the findings showed that, of the 53% of people who knew something about social enterprise, the perceptions were overwhelmingly positive. 79% of people agreed that social enterprises can help to tackle some of Scotland's most serious social and environmental problems and 74% agreed that social enterprises are important for the future of Scotland's economy.
Notably, the majority of respondents (86%) agreed that it is possible for companies to make a profit and make a positive contribution to Scotland's communities.
But despite these positive statistics, the poll highlighted the need for more awareness and public understanding of social enterprise with 47% of respondents unaware of their existence.
Antonia Swinson, chief executive of the Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition, said: "The findings of this poll shows current public understanding of the crucial role that social enterprise is playing in Scotland's economy and wider civic society by tackling social and environmental problems.
"Social enterprise has the power to deliver lasting and positive changes in the way we do business and there is huge scope for public sector organisations to lead the way through engagement with social enterprises to help deliver vital public services across Scotland. We urge all organisations to find out more about the opportunities that social enterprises can offer and encourage the general public to support these businesses in their communities."
