Question

Please explain whether Tom's Shoes is a social entrepreneur. In your discussion please explain why or why not.

Answer 1

Tom Shoes is a Social Entrepreneur.

The definition of social entrepreneur is often mistaken or puts a person in a conflict. Definition - A Social Entrepreneur is a person who pursues novel applications that have a potential to solve society based problems. They are willing to take risks to create positive changes in the society. The main goal of the social entrepreneur is to implement widespread improvements rather than seeking profits. However, this person still needs to be financially strong in order to achieve the outcomes.

In my opinion Tom Shoes cannot be called a social entrepreneur to some extent because there is a lack of strong definition on account of social entrepreneurs in this ever changing world.

My reason for this statement:

Unlike business entrepreneurs, who take decisions based on the financial returns, social entrepreneurs have to include social objectives in their decision making. Social entrepreneurship is getting more popular in the market and is arousing a huge level of support from the customers. TOM Shoes works in the following manner: each purchase of a pair of shoes by a consumer triggers the gift of a free pair of shoes to an impoverished child in a developing country. There are concerns for creating to social value out of this, mainly because of the lack of statistical data of the social outcomes or its impact. In my opinion, TOM shoes is very much a profit making company because even it is relying upon the business principles in order to survive in the market which turns its main objective into profit making. It is making the owner of the firm, Mr Mycoskie, pretty rich and wealthy man. I believe that many companies portray public relations tactics to brainwash the customers by taking an advantage of their incapability to do good.