Collaboration, agility, regulations and entrepreneurship (CARE) model of sustainable regional value capture by social businesses. Credit: Regional Studies (2026). DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2026.2685047
Social businesses are being prevented from delivering lasting benefits to their regions because of complex policies, unclear guidance, financial constraints and poor use of resources, according to new research from the Durham University Business School. Social businesses are organizations that aim to address social or environmental challenges through commercial activities. They reinvest profits to support their mission.
The study, led by Dr. Chrysostomos Apostolidis and colleagues from institutions across the U.K. and Greece, warns that current policy approaches can undermine local impact. The researchers also developed a framework to help social businesses create and retain sustainable regional value.
The study found that social businesses are often established with strong local ambitions. However, the way they are required to operate can reduce the positive impact they hope to achieve. The findings are published in the journal Regional Studies.
Policy barriers reduce local impact
