The Financial Times website lists a comprehensive report on the economic outlook of Tanzania in 2007. Although we have achieved solid growth in the last decade and are seen as one of the more-stable countries in Africa, there is much more emphasis that can be put on social business (among corruption, power and other issues). Maybe I'm just saying that because I'm biased towards doing it myself, but if there is someone out there that can prove me wrong, please do. All I read are the positive benefits of social entrepreneurship - and maybe it's becoming a newly-recognized field - but it would he helpful to realise some of the drawbacks.
One problem I see with applying business principles to socially-beneficial goods and services is the procurement of resources. Any business needs resources, and while their vision and purpose are noble, their back-office operations may not be taken into full consideration. These back-office operations may affect the environment and economy in the same way that all other profit-making initiatives do.
Another problem I see is that business principles quickly fold up into one simple rule: Making a profit. And since social-entrepreneurship involves emphasis on quantitative performance management, I'm afraid many of these social-businesses become ... well ... businesses.
These are only my thoughts. I am still keen on seeing Vijana FM all the way through. I am just a little concerned with a sector that has a lot of positive commentary, but rarely any analysis of potential pragmatic risks.
Anyhow, the report on Tanzania from the Financial Times paints a positive picture for Tanzania in general. It makes me optimistic about the ways in which we continue to strive for good governance and the proliferation of literacy.
One problem I see with applying business principles to socially-beneficial goods and services is the procurement of resources. Any business needs resources, and while their vision and purpose are noble, their back-office operations may not be taken into full consideration. These back-office operations may affect the environment and economy in the same way that all other profit-making initiatives do.
Another problem I see is that business principles quickly fold up into one simple rule: Making a profit. And since social-entrepreneurship involves emphasis on quantitative performance management, I'm afraid many of these social-businesses become ... well ... businesses.
These are only my thoughts. I am still keen on seeing Vijana FM all the way through. I am just a little concerned with a sector that has a lot of positive commentary, but rarely any analysis of potential pragmatic risks.
Anyhow, the report on Tanzania from the Financial Times paints a positive picture for Tanzania in general. It makes me optimistic about the ways in which we continue to strive for good governance and the proliferation of literacy.
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