In his Social Entrepreneurship course, Professor Riccardo Maiolini teaches students to think systematically about social and environmental values and develop a socially conscious business mindset. Based on the understanding that sustainability is both a foundational principle and a desirable outcome, students learn to explore how social enterprises can advance social change through innovative solutions. Professor Maiolini guides students to become more aware of global complexity by teaching them the importance of adapting ventures to different social values, cultural contexts, and economic systems. His teaching draws from his own academic work on entrepreneurship in contexts of institutional voids and social exclusion. Central to his research is the motivation to empower marginalized communities through entrepreneurial models that redesign economic participation.
The course takes a multidisciplinary approach by considering topics in economics, sociology, business, and ethics. Through the analysis of case studies about innovative ventures — nonprofit, hybrid, or for-profit — in fields such as poverty reduction, healthcare, education and energy, students analyze the possibility of generating social change and financial sustainability through innovation. For this analysis, students consider different frameworks and theories, such as Effectuation theory, BoP strategies, CSR Pyramid, Stakeholder theory, and Shareholder theory. Moreover, students translate theory into practice by participating in classroom activities, such as stakeholder mapping, mission modeling, and PCDO-based venture creation exercises.
By providing experiential learning and networking opportunities with guest entrepreneurs and JCU Alumni, students of this course have the opportunity to not only make career connections and seek real-world advice, but also to transform their mindsets. “Students often report a paradigm shift in how they view business and sustainability,” said Professor Maiolini. “Many pursue internships or thesis work in impact sectors, and several have launched or joined initiatives in circular economy, ethical fashion, or impact investing after the course.” Professor Maiolini provides mentorship and guidance after the course whether it is on pitch preparation, project development, feedback on venture ideas, or networking with alumni or professionals.
A Student’s Perspective
Leonardo Di Franco-Cascone, an International Business major with a minor in Marketing, shared his perspective as a student in Professor Maiolini’s class, and explained how this class is different from others of the same field. “The course was a wonderful and eye-opening experience. Many business classes briefly mention what it means to be sustainable, but they rarely focus on how a business can balance profit and social change. This class does exactly that, highlighting small social businesses and their missions to generate revenues and make a progressive change in the world. My takeaway from this experience is that in the business industry there will always be a way to make change. This change can come from the creation of a new business addressing an institutional void or by constructing change within an already established company. Thanks to Professor Maiolini’s class, my peers and I have been provided with the tools to make a difference in the future.”
