SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SOCIAL ENTERPRISES: THE CASE OF SLOVAKIA

Social entrepreneurship is a new area of economic activity, which is characterized by linking economic and social objectives. It is such a new dimension of unconventional entrepreneurial dynamism that it is also the bearer of social innovation and social development, as well as a new impetus for economic growth. Social entrepreneurship is a response to the ongoing social and economic changes, incentives and challenges of social development. Experts perceive this type of business as an innovative form of business activity with added social value. So it is also a business, the primary goal is not profit, but a wider social mission with a permanent solution of social problems. Such business can be classified as a possible instrument of employment policy especially in relation to specific segments of the labour market. Social enterprises create an area for the realization of the disabled and marginalized groups. This paper focuses on the evaluation of social entrepreneurship and assesses the current situation in the field of social entrepreneurship and social enterprises in Slovakia with emphasis on comparative analysis at the international level and critical analysis of legislative definition. In solving the research problems, we use logical and cognitive methods with various procedures and critical analysis. Finally, the contribution results in suggestions and recommendations for further development of social entrepreneurship in Slovakia.