African joins Oxford Journal of Social Entrepreneurship board

13 May 2010

Professor Boris Urban, full-time professor of entrepreneurship and chair in entrepreneurship (Lamberti Foundation) at the Wits Business School (WBS) has been appointed to the editorial board of the Oxford Journal of Social Entrepreneurship. His research efforts into social entrepreneurship has resulted in this achievement. Prof. Urban is an NRF-rated researcher and has published extensively in this field.

He was recently invited to participate in a social entrepreneurship colloquium at the said Business School at Oxford University. As the first and only African to be appointed in this capacity, Prof. Urban says, "This comes at a unique time for South African history. This is a year of milestones and I am privileged to add yet another to the list of African achievements. The journal adds a distinctive voice to the entrepreneurial landscape and I hope to add a definite African component to it-particularly as social entrepreneurship has huge relevance in Africa."

New scholarly journal

The Journal of Social Entrepreneurship is a new scholarly journal that focuses on social entrepreneurship and social innovations. The journal's focus is on what social entrepreneurship can offer to the business and public sectors, while encouraging social entrepreneurship from a range of scholarly perspectives.

Some of the areas which the journal focuses on are: social policy and political science, organisational theory, strategy, development economics and social psychology. The journal is open to works from any scholarly tradition, as long as the works are focused on social entrepreneurship.

Recognises different cultures

It uses internationally recognised units of analysis and contributions; however it does recognise the different cultures in its manifestations across the various countries and will explore the key areas of contrast.

WBS executive director Prof Bheki Sibya says, "WBS is thrilled to have Prof. Urban appointed on the board of the Journal of Social Entrepreneurship. He has the ability to provide the Journal with exceptional insight that will enhance the standing of this important international journal. In addition, his association with the Journal will certainly benefit his students' as he imparts best practices to the school."