GBEN5004 Social Entrepreneurship Assignment Brief 2026 | OBU

GBEN5004 Assignment Brief

Module code and title: GBEN5004 – Social Entrepreneurship

Module Leader: Michelle Cox

Assignment No. and type: Written Assignment (individual) – Feasibility Study Report 3,000 words

Assessment weighting: 100%

Submission time and date: Monday, 26th January 2026 before 23:59

Target feedback time and date: Monday, 16th February 2026 before 23:59

Summative Assignment Task

You are required to submit an individual feasibility report that proposes a hypothetical social enterprise based in the UK in response to a complex social or environmental issue. The report should demonstrate your understanding of social entrepreneurship by critically analysing relevant theory and models to discuss the main causes of the problem. You will evaluate the feasibility of your proposed enterprise by considering its ethical, financial, and operational dimensions, and assess how it addresses the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report should conclude with well-reasoned recommendations reflecting on any limitations, risks or areas for improvement.

Module Learning Outcomes:

LO1 – Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of key concepts, frameworks and debates that define social entrepreneurship.

LO2 – Analyse the various forms and characteristics of social enterprise organisations and social entrepreneurs.

LO3 – Evaluate the role of social enterprises and related theoretical concepts/tools and models in addressing social/environmental problems.

Task Requirements

Assessment Overview

The feasibility report should be 3,000 words (+/-10%) excluding references. The report must be clearly structured, demonstrate independent research, and provide critical analysis supported by credible academic sources. The report must include six sections and an index below:

1. Introduction – 400 Words (LO1, LO2):

• Define social entrepreneurship and social enterprise and clearly distinguish between them.
• Identify the social or environmental issue your proposed social enterprise will address, and link it to two SDGs selected from the following: SDG 1 No Poverty, SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4 Quality Education, SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Provide a brief outline of the theoretical frameworks that will guide your analysis.

2. Social Enterprise Design – 400 Words (LO2):

• Critically outline your proposed social enterprise concept, addressing its core mission, operational model, and intended beneficiaries. Evaluate how the enterprise is structured to support growth, sustainability, and inclusive engagement of stakeholders.

3. Theoretical Foundation And Model – 800 Words (LO1, LO3):

• Summarise key theoretical debates on how social enterprises address societal issues.
• Critically engage with relevant theories of social entrepreneurship introduced in the module (e.g. Social Innovation Theory, Critical Realism, Empowerment Theory).
• Apply an appropriate enterprise design model (e.g. Social Business Model Canvas) to demonstrate how your enterprise creates and delivers value.

4. Issue Justification And Analysis – 500 Words (LO2):

• Analyse how your chosen enterprise addresses the selected SDGs.
• Apply and justify one analytical model introduced in the module (e.g. the Iceberg Model or Intersectional Analysis), to explain the underlying causes of the social or environmental issue your enterprise will address.

5. Social Enterprise Resourcing And Impact Evaluation – 500 Words (LO1, LO3):

• Critically examine the UK social enterprise support ecosystem. Discuss funding options and evaluate their suitability for ensuring financial sustainability while addressing potential ethical challenges.
• Evaluate how your enterprise could be resourced within the UK social enterprise support ecosystem. Propose and justify an impact evaluation framework, drawing on approaches introduced in the module (e.g. Theory of Change, outcome frameworks, key performance indicators, or stakeholder feedback aligned with the SDGs), and explain its suitability for assessing the success and impact of your venture.

6. Summary And Recommendations – 400 Words (LO2 & LO3):

• Summarise your key findings, including the issue addressed, how the theoretical frameworks informed your analysis, and the alignment with the SDGs.
• Provide recommendations addressing the issues and highlight any limitations, risks, or areas for improvement.