Case-study of an unsuccessful social enterprise - Essay Example

Case Study of an Unsuccessful Social Enterprise Introduction This assignment aims to identify and to evaluate some of the key resources, which have been at the core of the success of the Arsenal Football club. In order to comprehend best what the terms; success and resources are in the context of this paper, their definitions will be given. Thereafter, social enterprise will be discussed and then the critical analysis of the resources that have played roles to the general success of the Arsenal football club will be analyzed.

Key termsThe meaning of the word success is subjective. This means that it may mean different things to different people. However, a majority of these people would say that it means achieving goals and objectives set in life. On the other hand, resources refer to the inputs to a business, be it tangible or intangible. These can be used as capital in a business for the purpose giving out output in the business.Case studyArsenal football club is a professional football club that was established in the late 1880’s, in England.

Social enterprises, by definition, are businesses with social impacts to the society. Over the years, arsenal football has been able to produce exceptional football that fans love and enjoy watching. While it can be debated whether which is indispensable to a football club between winning trophies, and to entertain the fans, all we can say is that the two go alongside each other. Fans do not love to watch agricultural like football just because their team is winning them trophies (Pathak 2011).

Additionally, the stakeholders would not be happy with the team if at all; the club would not be making money and playing fantastic football that people love to watch and go to the stadia week in, week out to watch. As a business grows, so should its social impact and its income, in tandem. The reason for this is that the social impact is not derived from the business like a donation from every purchase but is inherent, ultimately, from the purpose of the business (Allan 2011). Social enterprises are not merely charitable organization; they are independent business ventures that have social responsibilities and meet them with no problem.

These organizations have ways of generating income that are not donations. Arsenal football club has been a profitable venture ever since 2005 when it last won a trophy. However, some people may bicker that it is not profits that matter; but to a business, it matters. However, the business has also been fulfilling its social needs and demands. Economic CapitalEconomic capital, as Van Eeghen and Klaassen say, is any asset, which creates, from its value, wealth to the owners and shareholders. Additionally, economic capital also includes money.

Business development must be supported by finance and funds, for that matter. In order to gain on financial investment, the business has to make sure it gives an attractive and quality product to the community (Allan 2011). Arsenal has been able to give authentic football for people to pay to go and watch. This is a way of generating money. Additionally, Arsenal football club offers other branded merchandise for people to buy, and ultimately, generates money to the business.Human skillsThis refers to the skills and abilities of people or individuals which enable people to do tasks and generate economic value to the business.

Arsenal Football club has been at the forefront of building some of the best and skilled players the world has ever seen. In addition, the club boasts having one of the most successful managers in the history of the club and debatably, in England. Social CapitalThis refers to the intangible assets in the form of relationships and networks formed by the club as it goes about its business activities. To arsenal football club, these are the stakeholders, the shareholders, the fans, the businesses which benefit indirectly from the existence of the club, and the communities arsenal supports like the eradicate cancer initiatives and so on.

The manager, Arsene Wenger has been one of the most inspiring managers socially, at the helm of the club. The projects the club supports are of social benefit to many people. Apart from this, the Arsenal club, and some of its players, have been involved in development of football activities in their native countries with the aim of nurturing talent, and taking part in the social activities in the social activities of the communities. All in all, as long as the foot balling culture remains alive at Arsenal, the club will not cease being an integral part to the love of the developing players, the business communities, the employees, and to the entire football community all over the world (Pathak 2011).

However, failing to win any silverware for five consecutive years makes us categorize it an unsuccessful social enterprise.ReferencesAllan, J., 2011. The Oxford Handbook of Human Capital. 1st ed. New York: Oxford University Press.Eegher, K.P.a.v., 2009. Econimic Capital. 1st ed. London : Elsevier.P, K., 2010. Social Capital. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.Pathak, P., 2011. Of social enterprises and football clubs. [Online] Blogger Available at: HYPERLINK "http://pathik-pathak.blogspot.com/2011/01/of-social-enterprises-and-football.

html" http://pathik-pathak.blogspot.com/2011/01/of-social-enterprises-and-football.html [Accessed 13 March 2012].Sutherland, W., 2009. Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus. 3rd ed. New York: Oxford University Press.