Isaev Dmitry V.

The article is devoted to the problems and prospects of the development of social entrepreneurship in Russia. The author notes the need to stimulate this kind of activity and create an appropriate institutional and regulatory legal framework. However, there is no common understanding and definition of ‘social entrepreneurship’, which gives the existing experience and scientific research a fragmented character. In practice, the concept of social entrepreneurship as an activity aimed at generating commercial profit, rather than creating social value and solving social problems, is widespread. The article gives an attempt to identify the causes of this condition, analyzes existing research approaches and practical experience, as well as draws the appropriate conclusions and offers recommendations. The existing traditional and modern approaches to the interpretation of entrepreneurship as a special type of human activity are analyzed. The analysis showed that entrepreneurial activity is traditionally associated with innovation, risk, uncertainty and entrepreneurial profit. Particular attention is paid to existing research approaches to the study of ‘social entrepreneurship’ as a modern phenomenon. The characteristic features of ‘social entrepreneurship’ that distinguish it from other types of entrepreneurial activity are identified, the definitions existing in the Russian scientific environment that are most common when trying to draw up the theoretical and conceptual foundations of social entrepreneurship are highlighted. As a Russian experience, the activities of the non-profit partnership ‘The World of the Older Generation’, which not only unites social entrepreneurs, but also operates as an institution for the development of the social sphere, are considered. Conclusions are made about the research prospects in this area and directions for further study of social entrepreneurship are proposed. The author suggests examining the experience of social entrepreneurship accumulated in Russia when formulating recommendations for the further development of the regulatory framework.