Challenges for civil society involvement in civic entrepreneurship: a case study of local enterprise partnerships

Abstract

Civic entrepreneurship involves engagement between the state, business and civil society to produce economic growth for the public good. In the UK context a key initiative to encourage such engagement has been the creation of local enterprise partnerships (LEPs); these structures are intended to be a key delivery driver of regional economic growth. This paper draws on insights from semi-structured interviews with actors involved in the development of a LEP in the north of England. Findings draw attention to concerns from civil society over losing its distinctiveness through these partnerships, and in the process losing its ethos as a guardian of the public good.

Keywords:

• Civic entrepreneurship
• civil society
• local enterprise partnerships (LEPs)
• regional economic growth

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lorraine Johnston

Lorraine Johnston is a Senior Lecturer at Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University, UK.

John Blenkinsopp

John Blenkinsopp is a Professor of Management at Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University, UK.