4.5 Conclusions

The research presented in this article was a limited part of a broader exploratory research initiative, which examined the correlation of stakeholder engagement in the governance of Dutch social enterprises with the success of the social enterprises. Regardless of the low response rate the survey illustrated insightfull findings concerning stakeholder participation in the governance of Dutch social enterprises, which do not employ tailor-made legal forms. The research was limited to the examination of the organisations that fell whithin the scope of the selected definition for social enterprises. It means that the social enterprises that did not satisfy the selected definition for ‘social enterprises’ and/or other organisations, such as non-existing social enterprises or enterprises, which are in a transition to become social enterprises, were not selected or included in the research sample. Accordingly, the research presented in this article encourages future research on the participation and involvement of stakeholders in social enterprises that did not satisfy the selected definition for ‘social enterprises’. As such, other definitions for the concept of social enterprise could be considered, as could other non-existing social enterprises that are hampered by barriers (i.e. legal, market etc.), and/or enterprises which are in a transition to become social enterprises. Moreover, the research presented in this article is limited to the responses provided by respondents who are predominantly social entrepreneurs and/or directors and/or founders of the selected social enterprises. It means that in the context of this research the participation and involvement of stakeholders in the governance of Dutch social enterprises was examined on the basis of the preceptions of social enterpreneurs, directors and/or founders. However, literature1 and the results of this research encourage scholars to conduct furtherin-depth qualitative research on stakeholder participation in the governance of Dutch social enterprises. The qualitative research should not only be conducted from the perspective of managers or social entrepreneurs. It should also examine in an in-depth manner the perceptions, motivations and drivers of stakeholders to participate in the governance of social enterprises, with the aim of developing a better understanding of the relationships between decision-makers and different stakeholder groups.