星島日報 2007-10-11
特首在《施政報告》中強調香港要建立新關懷文化，利用商業策略達至社會目標，港府已邀請新鴻基地產、長實、新世界及馬會四大企業籌辦社會企業，要建立品牌效應，「省靚」社企招牌。有學者指，由大企業帶頭搞社企，長遠可刺激商會成立相關基金支援社企，不過亦有學者擔心，由商業機構獨力搞社企，須防利益輸送，應參考外國經驗立法監管。
本報記者
行政長官曾蔭權宣讀《施政報告》表示，成立及營運社會企業並不局限於非牟利機構，商界也肯定可扮演重要角色。民間已向政府提出了一系列社會企業計畫，政府會邀請商界及非牟利團體一同開展。
新地支持承辦舊區清潔
政府消息人士稱，今次籌辦社企的大企業，絕大部分是由政府邀請，率先響應的包括新鴻基地產、長實、新世界發展及馬會。消息指，在外國不少社企都是大企業，今次動員大企業搞社企，旨在加強品牌效應，讓大家覺得社企非「次級產品」
新鴻基地產發言人表示，新地將與一家非政府機構(NGO)合作籌辦提供清潔服務的社會企業，並通過該機構轉介，聘請弱勢社群及失業人士為社企僱員，初期核心員工約十多人，但將視乎日後競投的清潔合約，來決定聘請人數及能創造多少就業機會。
長實外判酒店按摩服務
發言人稱，社企將為舊社區如深水的單幢物業提供清潔服務，因為現時較少清潔公司願承接舊區單幢式樓宇的清潔，故他們將針對此市場空間開展服務。現時新地轄下全資擁有的清潔公司，如力新清潔、力高環保服務、新力清潔公司等，將能憑豐富經驗，協助成立及營運社企、培訓及聘請員工，並提供技術支援包括清潔、廢物回收和滅蟲等，亦會協助爭取清潔合約。發言人表示，新地未來亦考慮把旗下商場或屋苑的清潔服務，外判予社企。
長實方面，發言人表示，長實集團主動與一個NGO合作，籌備成立社會企業，為本地弱勢社群提供就業機會，但沒透露是哪一個NGO，但該社企將為長實和和黃集團旗下的酒店及屋苑會所，提供按摩服務，讓再培訓局的學員重投本地勞動市場，而長實將為社企提供學員培訓、企業管理及市場推廣等支援。
新世界發展企業事務總監關則輝表示，籌劃成立社企，專做青年培訓。新世界高層甚至他本人，過往亦有向部分社企傳授營商之道，在培訓方面甚有經驗。但目前未決定是否與NGO合作。馬會則稱，稍後才公布辦社企的詳細計畫。
提供租金優惠減低成本
政府消息人士稱，由大企業牽頭搞社企有不少優勢，如大企業旗下商場，部分可提供低租金或免租金鋪位，減低社企成本；而廢物回收、幼兒託管等都是社企可發展範疇，如由發展商成立的社企可為旗下屋苑提供託兒服務，將較易贏得家長信心；但消息強調，政府不會對社企提供任何稅務誘因，以免政策傾斜對中小企構成不公平競爭。社福界則指，除上述三大財團外，亦有其他大企業正考慮籌辦
長者照顧的社企。
中大管理系副教授區玉輝指出，在外國有不少成功例子，都由大企業成立社企，滿足部分社會需要，但形式較多元化，未必是協助弱勢社群就業，「如在巴西，有社企為鄉郊地區農民提供廉價電力，但較多外國社企是由相同業務的大企業成立。」
他估計，三大發展商可借鑑其營商管理經驗，並開放旗下物業、商場、酒店或其他相關業務，讓社企爭取服務合約，協助社企起動，並提供採購上的優惠等。「大企業是回應政府呼籲，發揮企業所謂的社會良心，但在此模式下，大企業是協助推行社企，多於刺激社企的創業精神，在外國，社企有風險基金去支持，讓他們更勇於創新業務。」
不過，他認為，大企業帶頭搞社企是好事，長遠可刺激商會成立基金支援社企或銀行願意貸款。「在英國，社企甚至成為有限公司，發行債券和股票。」他又說，大財團成立社企，無可避免對私營中小企或現有社企構成競爭，「現時中小企已投訴政府以公帑支持社企爭生意，但現在政府拋波給大財團，便不再是公帑支持。社企要面對市場競爭是正常，逼使大家改善業務。」
立法規管避免利益輸送
政府早前委託港大就本地及海外社企作詳細研究，將於下月底向民政事務局提交報告，十二月則由政府召開社企高峰會。負責研究的港大社會工作系副教授羅致光指，外國亦有由商界獨自成立社企，不與NGO合作的例子，但要避免利益輸送，如英國便會立法規管，要求註冊為社企的公司不可分紅。
「外國經營社企的經驗較豐富，香港商界宜吸取他們的經驗。」羅致光
2007年10月15日星期一
新地、長實、新世界及馬會「省靚」招牌 財團拉頭纜 社企站穩腳
聖誕前召開跨界社企峰會
信報財經新聞 2007-10-11
施政報告提出以活化利用文物建築作為推動社會企業其中一項新思維，據解釋《施政報告》的官員透露，新鴻基、長實、新世界及賽馬會已答應協助社會企業。特首曾蔭權承認，香港社會企業發展仍未成熟，不過，消息指民間已向政府提出了一系列社會企業計劃，稍後政府會邀請商界及非牟利團體一同開展這些計劃，首要目的是鼓勵商界自發營辦社企，民政事務局已計劃在聖誕節前召開社企高峰會，屆時將制定推動社企的政策。 曾蔭權表示，成立和營運社企不局限於非牟利機構，商界也肯定可以扮演重要角色。政府消息人士表示，其實商界在人才培訓、提供廉租住宅和商場、成立社企計劃和傳授營商知識方面均可提供協助，目前新鴻基、長實、新世界及賽馬會均已答應協助社會企業，例如分享商業運作經驗，不同企業亦有不同興趣，新世界將主力有關青年的服務，形式及細節仍在商討。
政府消息人士補充，就商界如何協調營辦社企，民間已設計好一系列社企計劃予政府，當中以「走入屋」提供服務的性質居多，規模不分大小，首要目的是鼓勵商界自發營辦社企，亦有建議研究讓社企優先投標政府工程。此外，民政事務局計劃在聖誕節前召開社企高峰會，將邀請包括商界、學術及社福界人士參與，政府會密切留意高峰會意見，再制定推動社企的政策。政府並已委託香港大學搜集香港社企的資料，了解他們的運作形式。
長實集團昨天發表聲明表示，現與一個非政府機構合作籌備社企，在長江（包括和記黃埔）管理的酒店及屋苑會所提供按摩服務，讓再培訓局的學員重投本地勞工市場。
民協馮檢基對施政報告欠缺整體社企政策表示失望，他稱，政府起碼應就社企提出大政策方向，或者對社企的價值觀，營商是以利益出發，單叫商界協助很難推動官、商、民三方合作。他以英國和西班牙成功營辦社企為例，政府在政策上會提供稅務優惠推動社企，譬如聘用失業人士，或向社企採購的公司均會獲得減稅，今年施政報告減稅花了五十億元，相比之下，推動社企仍只靠三千萬的夥伴倡自強種子基金，即使推動到四大機構參與，亦難以營造社企的勢頭。
民建聯社會企業小組委員蘇錦樑則認為，施政報告大體上指出了社企面對資金和人才培訓不足的問題，期望政府在社企高峰會交代具體政策■
親力親為推動社企
成報 2007-10-12
【記者張智仁報道】行政長官曾蔭權昨日在立法會上重申對推行社會企業決心，強調會「親自落手落腳」推動社會企業發展，並研究向外國借鏡，向社會企業提供稅務優惠。
民協主席馮檢基昨日在答問大會中指出，曾參考過英國及西班牙等國家的經驗，發現他們透過制定政策，利用市場能力，聘請低學歷而年紀大的失業及傷殘人士投身社會企業，值得香港借鏡。
曾蔭權說，曾研究關於英國及歐洲其他國家的社企情況，有很多東西是香港可採納得到的；稅務優惠是下一層次的工夫，如何能夠以立法去幫助這件事，相信這些是將來考慮如何能推廣社企在新的政策內可考慮的一個範疇。
向歐洲社企借鏡
他續說，社企是一個新興、重要的課題，「我認為我會親自落手落腳去做這個工夫」。他強調，政府與各個非政府機構及有關企業亦商量過如何能夠真真正正落實這項目，來籌備好的高峰會，做一個好的政策。
青協擬推12項社會企業
星島日報 2007-10-14
政府近年大力推動社會企業發展，青年協會計畫在未來三年，推出十二項青年社會企業，供待業青年參加，同時提供輔導及培訓，其中一項計畫是二手書店，已經向民政事務局申請撥款，期望最快明年初落實。
青協為支持青年參與社會企業，計畫未來三年推出十二項青年社會企業，當中「D i g i t a l C a f e 」及「回書店」兩項社企，最快明年初可落實，並將成立由青年人組成的「青年社企智囊團」，邀請商界及專業人士，交流及分享社企理念和功能。
出售舊書的「回書店」將會聘請低學歷青年，賺取的利潤，會用作社會服務。青協指，贊成《施政報告》提出，推動社會企業發展，但認為社會企業在本港發展屬於初期，政府應加強培訓。
另外，青協及蜆殼公司去年首次舉辦
「創業奇兵之營『宵』有道獎勵計畫」，通過一系列簡介會、訓練工作坊、年宵市場實踐等，實踐年輕人創業的夢想。去年獎勵計畫大獎中學組及公開組優勝者，昨在第二屆獎勵計畫簡介會分享經驗。
年宵創業奇兵公開秘技
成為中學組大獎得主、連曾蔭權也被他們獨特設計的「豬腩肉」咕?吸引的華仁書院，五名參與年宵攤位同學們認為，參與年宵市場先要考慮產品的對象、獨特性，由於他們希望推出較特別而實用的產品，所以自行設計得意的「豬腩肉」咕?，加強吸引力。同時，更事前主動邀請大師兄曾蔭權參觀攤位，結果成功帶來巨大回響及賺得三萬元。
他們建議參與年宵青年人，特別是已競投維園攤位者，應盡快策劃產品的設計、內容等，也要適當地分配時間。
至於奪得公開組大獎、售賣得意造型豬耳仔的何家然及張家福表示，攤位貨品如決定在內地製造，要提早一個半月前提交草圖及定時催促製造商交貨，以免阻礙買賣。假如合作夥伴是在職人士，決策時勿拖延，決定後應盡快行動。記者巫凱宜
羅致光主催下月交報告千萬元社企計圖解家庭問題
信報財經新聞 2007-10-15
行政長官曾蔭權在施政報告中表示，民間已提出一系列社會企業計劃予政府。本報獲悉，有鑑於老人問題、家庭暴力個案及獨留子女在家事件日益嚴重，受政府委託研究社企的港大社會工作及社會行政學系副教授羅致光【圖】，將會在短期內推出類似再培訓局「家務通」概念的社企大計（暫名「居家通」），務求繼大獲好評的平安鐘服務後，將「居家通」的覆蓋範圍擴展至老人護理、改善家居、託兒等家庭生活各個環節。 「居家通」涉資千萬元，擬吸納最少萬多二萬名家務助理，做到所需服務隨傳隨到。他稱，目前正積極草擬計劃書，望能趕及在十一月底遞交政府。有份參與計劃的立法會議員鄭經翰透露，政府反應積極，成事機會頗大。
今年施政報告對社企墨不多，但在老人和幼兒方面的支援提出了不少新措施，例如明年初在觀塘區試行為離院長者提供「一條龍」復康、家居照顧、護老者支援服務、增加陪老員名額、撥款二億元為貧困獨居長者改善家居環境，以及將兒童身心全面發展服務分階段逐步推廣至全港所有地區等等，在在需要更多非政府機構投入對老人和幼兒服務。
羅致光日前接受本報專訪時表示，正積極籌備一項暫名「居家通」的社會企業，形式近似再培訓局的「家務通」，但除了家居護理、照顧老人和託兒，「居家通」更包括裝修及任何家庭層面的服務，而在老人和幼兒服務方面，亦是針對市場不足而設。
他解釋，其實市面上欠缺一種為中產長者而設的服務，專門提供物理治療、職業治療等相對高層次和昂貴的服務，或者更貼身的洗澡和身體護理。雖然部分慈善機構同樣提供相關服務，但主要針對基層市民，中產人士可能不便申請。在兒童方面，他指出，市面上不少託兒所根本不貼近民居，雙職家長如要帶子女到託兒所，可謂相當費時失事。針對這方面的不足，「居家通」可以社企形式提供日間上門託兒服務。這方面的到戶服務，患有老人癡呆症、需要看護的長者都一樣適用。
他指出，市場上雖然有提供同類服務，但不是數量不足就是太昂貴。例如聘用外傭，不但有欠專業，亦有不少人不習慣外傭長駐家中；至於鐘點女傭，則既欠專業，更不划算。他強調，「居家通」正是針對這些需求而設。
估計需僱二萬家居助理
不過，他表示，家庭慘案往往在短時間內發生，「居家通」如要做到隨傳隨到，必須規模夠大，形成「關鍵數量」（critical mass），使到有足夠家務助理隨時候命。他以電召的士為例，市民無論身處何方，電召的士都能在十分八分鐘內到達，原因是參與的士的數目夠多。所以，他認為，「居家通」起碼要僱用一至兩萬名家務助理，方法則可以是大力吸納再培訓局已有的約五萬名的家務助理。
鄭經翰指實為「家庭救命鐘」
羅致光認為，除了服務種類，目前主要提供護理服務的「家務通」，在運作和技術上尚有改善空間。「家務通」每當接到顧客的電話，便會由工作人員透過電話，逐個家務助理詢問是否可提供服務，亦不知道哪一位助理在地理上最貼近，實在很難做到隨傳隨到。因此，他表示，要引入新的設備，令所有家務助理同一時間內接收到顧客的電話，然後主動回覆；新設備並可顯示家務助理所在位置，顧客的安全亦得到保障。他希望，在這方面商界也可以協力，例如提供相關的資訊科技和人才。
目前約有十三個機構為「家務通」電召家務助理，羅致光表示，「居家通」成立後，任何人都可以繼續「玩」（擔當相關角色），規模才夠大。他希望趕及在十一月底前完成計劃書。由於「居家通」投資不小，初步估計三年投資期約需注資一千萬元，羅致光擬向政府商借經費，當然亦歡迎各界捐獻，但總的來說，一定會以經營社企這個新思維去營運「居家通」，否則就會失卻示範作用。
有份參與計劃的長者安居服務協會創辦人兼信託人鄭經翰接受本報查詢時表示，「居家通」的意念源自特首經常稱讚的「一線通」平安鐘服務，他們希望將服務層面擴展至全方位的「家庭救命鐘」，尤其是最近經常發生小童獨留家中而釀成的慘劇。他透露，政府對這個社企意念反應積極，成事的機會頗大■
持續發展社會企業
星島日報 2007-10-15 By 小石(三十會)
今年的《施政報告》對社會上各方面訴求，都一一回應：基建、扶貧、減稅、教育、老人、醫療、環保、綠化和文化保育，令各階層市民都感覺受到眷顧。過去一年，香港經濟復甦、股市暢旺，中產不滿聲音大減，但基層卻未能分享成果。今次政府以投資基建創造就業、十二年免費教育以減輕跨代貧窮，以及推廣社會企業這些非派錢式扶貧，是走對了方向。但主觀願望是否能達成，還要看軟硬件的配套。
根據政府官員透露，新鴻基、長實、新世界及賽馬會已答應協助社會企業(社企)，在人才培訓、提供廉租住宅和商場、傳授營商知識方面提供協助。
但社企不是純綷的營商組織，亦不是一般社會服務，它們通過企業策略及商業運作，達至社會目標，其收益主要用於促進社區、弱勢社群及社企本身的發展及投資，它們重視社會價值而非最大的經濟利益。
要發展社企，單叫大財團幫忙未必具持續性，亦不容易在商業與社會目標之間取得平衡。譬如說，大財團今天以超優惠價租出物業予經營長者服務中心的社企，兩年後，大財團卻可能眼見有很大回報率的商機要收回物業，極可能導致該剛上軌道的社企倒閉，其帶出的社會問題將更多。政府應該對此制定政策減低這方面風險
在政府推動有效政策之餘，公民社會的參與在推動社企發展的重要性將不容忽視：參考外國個案，有專為社會企業融資的創業投資基金，他們向大財團籌募資金，招募義工，並訂立一定機制，包括甄選合適的社企的標準(如業務計畫書、財務預算)、提供過渡時期的監護人服務，讓獲投資的社企能自立，社企才可健康地持續發展。
小石(三十會)www.30SGroup.org
2007年10月11日星期四
75%市民不了解社會企業
(星島) 08月 03日
(星島日報 報道)香港研究協會於上周二至本周一，用電話訪問約一千名十八歲以上的市民，有關社會企業的意見。有七成半的市民，表示對社會企業「了解不多」及「完全不了解」；表示對社會企業「頗了解」及「非常了解」的受訪市民，只有二成半。有六成四的市民指，當質素和價格相若的情況下，他們會選購社會企業的產品或服務。
當受訪者得知，社會企業追求的是社會目的，其盈利主要用來投資於企業本身或社會，有五成半的市民支持發展社會企業，反對的只有一成二。有六成的受訪市民，贊成政府制定優惠政制，推動社會企業；反對的有一成二。有四成半的市民，希望社會企業可以幫助低技術、低學歷人士。
張超雄﹕社會企業 公關扶貧？ ——看看英國與西班牙
(明報) 10月 09日
【明報專訊】近期社會企業就像「概念股」，成了特首的炒作題材，繼年初競逐連任時一度熱捧，即將發表的施政報告，社企也將再度炒熱，正式上場成為特首「以工代賑」的主要扶貧策略，但具體細節仍待落實，實質成效甚至可行性均成疑問。究竟發展社企的目標是解決貧窮，還是長遠作為促進社區共融的手段，是政府必須釐清的課題。
事實上，現時本港社企只有200多家，共聘用了千多人。這個數字不論相對360萬的勞動人口，還是16萬的失業人口，都是九牛一毛。即使政府能將之「翻十番」，規模仍與扶貧目標相距甚遠。何脫離公共或私人資助而自負盈虧的社企大多艱苦經營，能長遠經營的更只有鳳毛麟角。將以就業培訓和輔助收入為本的社企，提升至解決貧富不均的層次，只會將社企置於尷尬位置，反而掩蓋社企的真正社會效益。
筆者與數位立法會 議員上月到訪西班牙 和英國 ，考察當地社企發展。兩國經驗或可從側面說明本港要發展社企，將會是困難重重。
在西班牙和英國，社企均有悠長歷史。在西班牙，社企規模非常龐大，由上世紀30年代的合作社運動催生，對抗佛朗哥（Francisco Franco）的法西斯獨裁，是國家發展的重要部分。
西班牙社企僱員佔勞動人口25%
時至今天，西班牙社企所聘僱員已佔整體勞動人口25%，經濟產值相等於國民生產總值7%，其產生的社會效益更是無可比擬。其中蒙德拉貢（Mondragon）為世界規模最大的社企，聘用僱員逾8萬人，從事多元化業務，更自設教育中心，致力培訓社企人才。即使英國社企規模相對較小，但其佔國民生產總值仍達1%，聘用僱員達勞動人口的5%。
兩國發展社企能夠成功，政府充分投入和社會廣泛認同是必然因素。西班牙有所謂「社會經濟」（social economy）的概念，政府角色甚至明文載入憲法內。從這個概念出發，政府十分提倡非純市場的經濟活動，社企和其他資助計劃遍地開花，逾51%社企開業5年後仍相當活躍。
從西班牙政府對社企的支持，我們實際可以看出社會對於弱勢社群的重視，這正正是本港缺少的主要條件。立法會訪問團曾往探訪當地盲人機構，這所盲人機構擁有過千服務單位，同時經營數十個社企項目。其中經營彩票賣買的社企聘用大量視障人士，獲政府特許經營，城中大街小巷均設落注點，全部收益撥歸機構。由於收益龐大，機構有充裕資金提升服務之餘，更可投資其他生意項目，令社企長遠維持強大生命力。政府將「明賺」項目讓出，供由社福機構的社企經營，足以證明政府對當地社福機構信心十足，亦說明社會整體對弱勢社群的無限支持。
英國社企擁明確法律地位
在英國，社企擁有明確的法律地位。針對社企在借貸和稅務等方面的特殊困難，政府修訂《公司法》，社企被統一稱為「社會利益公司」（community interest companies）。另一方面，此舉方便政府建立機制，加強社企的問責性，確保社企貫徹社會目標。英國大部分社企均以競投政府合約維持，政府採購人員因而必須對社企清楚認識。為此，英國政府致力培訓人員敏感度，甚至與社企簽訂約章，確立兩者伙伴關係。政府合約更有「社會條款」（social clause），確保競投合約的企業能實踐社會責任。
兩國社企有相當發展，全賴政府對社企的態度認真，絕非「忽然熱中」。英國政府設有部長級的專門部門，處理社企相關政策，直屬內閣辦公廳；西班牙政府以同樣規格處理社企政策，透過建立社企與商界、工會和政府的溝通平台，不但釋除工會認為社企削弱工人力量的疑慮，同時亦化解商界誤解，不會認為社企與民爭利，反而願意持續為社企發展提供專業意見。
反觀本港，過去政府雖向社企提供種子基金，但政府部門對社企認識不多，造成政策自相矛盾。政策局重組後，社企由福利轉移至涉獵甚廣的民政事務範疇，可見政府對社企根本未有清晰定位，民政事務局 變相肩負「授魚不如授漁」的扶貧工作，亦顯得不倫不類。
社企經特首一番炒作，社會對社企充滿期望。但社企要發展至相當規模，方能發揮一定扶貧作用，期間過程必然漫長，政府亦不可能將自己定位為推動商界支持的純粹「促進者」，更應是切實的「參與者」。何別國根本不會以社企作為主要扶貧手段，因為要解決貧富不均，改革稅制和社會保障制度是必然出路。
作者是立法會議員（社會福利界）
長實新地籌辦社會企業
(明報) 10月 11日
明報專訊】施政報告亦提到，政府有意大力發展社會企業，邀請商界及非牟利團體一同開展計劃，並準備年底前召開社會企業高峰會。經政府初步接觸下，長江實業 、新鴻基地產 皆會參與社會企業計劃
曾蔭權表示，社會企業目標是使企業、非政府組織及個人找尋新的營業模式，增加就業，減少對綜援 的依賴。但他指香港的社會企業只屬初期，未到成熟期，其他社會到成熟期時，對本地生產總值的比重更加強，他強調﹕「我們現在有條件做，所以我們應該要做。」
新地發言人表示，公司計劃與某間NGO合作，協助失業人士成立清潔公司，由新地旗下公司派出有經驗員工，教授清潔工種的技術，例如滅蟲、垃圾處理、垃圾回收等；另會與香港盲人輔導會合作，安排視障人士在新地旗下屋苑會所，向住戶提供按摩服務。
長實 則會為弱勢社群提供就業機會，長實發言人指現與一個NGO合作籌備社會企業，在長實（包括和記黃埔 ）管理的酒店及屋苑會所，提供按摩服務，讓再培訓局的學員重投勞動市場。
新世界旗下新創建集團發言人則表示，公司正構思籌組社會企業，方向是為青少年提供就業機會。
基督教豐盛職業訓練中心董事紀治興強調，「社會企業不是做慈善，不能將它視為「庇護工場」。他指社企要自給自足，賺取利益才能有長遠發展。其中心在87年成立時資金僅400萬元，現時流動資金已達1000萬元，每年收入數百萬元。
“再培訓課程名額由每年10萬個，增至09/10年度20萬個”
政府研擴大社企範圍
(星島) 10月 03日
特首曾蔭權即將發表的《施政報告》，將會大力推動社會企業，增加就業機會。政府早前委託港大就本地及海外社會企業作詳細研究，希望重新為本港近四百個自稱社會企業作一定位，設清晰定義以助制定相應政策。據了解，港府除了繼續透過現行機制資助社企的成立外，還打算擴大社企的定義，鼓勵私人機構聘用弱勢社群等，但這類機構不能分紅。獲評定為社企的機構，將會獲得褒獎。
民政事務局 在今年六月初舉行一場大型社會企業交流會，並將在十二月召開高峰會。配合社會企業的推動，當局在六月委託港大就社會企業進行一詳盡研究，由港大社會工作系副教授羅致光負責，今年十一月向民政事務局提交報告及建議。
四百社企有待認定
不過，現有逾四百個自稱為社會企業的項目，為數眾多，但社會企業定義有欠清晰，且未能推動商界積極參與，希望社會企業可重新定位，包括日後社企發展路、以地區為本的社企如何創造就業機會、政府協助營辦的角色等，港大早前已刊登廣告邀請本地社企接受問卷訪問，並已完成向外國社企「取經」。
羅致光證實，現正努力就社企現況、目標及營運困難展開研究，希望年底前完成詳細報告。港大社會行政學系教授梁祖彬稱以接觸數百個社企為目標，初步發現，社企不一定只由社福機構協辦，商界企業同樣可以，但須仔細研究。
商業機構盡社會責任
據了解，政府其中一個構想，是擴大社會企業範圍，當商業機構履行其社會責任，例如生產過程加強環保意識、推動公益、聘請弱勢社群等，若符合一系列推動社會良好意識及推動就業的原則，也可成為社會企業，獲得嘉許，但政府不會提供資助，這些機構亦不能分紅。至於政府現時透過「夥伴倡自強」、投資共享基金等資助社企成立的模式，則會繼續進行。
現時社會企業的定義，籠統地以非盈利團體經營一盤生意，以聘用及培訓弱勢社群為目標，任何收益及所賺利潤，均不會如企業般獲分發花紅，全部用於社會企業營運上。
社區組織協會主任何喜華指出，社會企業不能解決目前在職貧窮問題，紓緩程度有限，政府曾鼓勵部門的小型採購合約可「幫襯」社會企業，至今未見曙光，社企亦面對鋪租昂貴致營運成本上升，政府現無政策協助紓緩。他期望港大協助釐清目前社福機構角色及社會企業目標。他建議政府效法外國為社企設註冊制度，讓社企獲優惠及豁免稅項等。
社聯：最大困難是貴租
社聯業務總監蔡海偉指，社聯轄下有超過二百間會員機構營辦社會企業，現無一個清晰、嚴格定義，主要靠申領政府短期資助啟動，現階段仍在摸索，大部分由社福機構協辦，商界企業營辦例子未見。
蔡海偉指，租金昂貴是社會企業面對的最大困難，因缺乏門市銷售點，多以屋商場短期租約、流動攤位形式經營。他希望，社會企業立下定義後，可給社企彈性發展空間，更希望政府牽頭推動多個部門、公營機構等，如房委會、醫管局 等以平價出租鋪位給真正的社會企業，協助社企持續下去。
記者：張一華
2007年8月23日星期四
Boost for social enterprise aims
英文虎報 2007-02-02
District-based social enterprise geared toward fighting poverty is to be given a lift if Donald Tsang is re-elected chief executive.
Tsang's election platform also aims to revitalize the social welfare sector, with an emphasis on reviewing the sector's planning and long-term development strategy.
Under an action plan, entitled ``Building a New Hong Kong: Creating Quality Life Together,'' Tsang vowed to lead the ``Social Enterprise Summit on Fighting Poverty,'' which will outline an agenda for district-based social enterprises which will create more employment opportunities.
Private enterprises will be mobilized to provide voluntary legal, accounting and management skills training to assist in the operation of social enterprises in several districts, such as Tin Shui Wai, Wong Tai Sin and Sham Shui Po, where the unemployment rate is set to surge to 7 percent.
The government could also collaborate with businesses to help the unemployed find work and enhance social harmony by injecting new energy into social enterprises, Tsang said.
The chief executive reiterated that he will review the wage protection movement should the results of the scheme be unsatisfactory, and he is also prepared to introduce legislation on a minimum wage.
A social enterprise is defined as a profit-making entity that, besides providing goods and services, undertakes a social mission, such as helping dole recipients to be less reliant on the government, and boosting employment for the disabled.
Tsang said Britain's FRC Group - one of the best known social business groups in the country - is a good learning example for Hong Kong.
Legislator Frederick Fung Kin-kee of the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood welcomed the main goal of social enterprises, saying they provide a vital means of solving unemployment at the district level. But he warned they were not the ultimate solution for the widening poverty gap.
He suggested the next government provide low-interest loans for social enterprises to come up with an adequate amount of capital and cash flow.
Tax and rental discounts for operators at the government's vacant wet markets could also help these enterprises survive, he said.
Fung further suggested the next government outsource 10 percent of its contracts to social enterprises for a limited period to give them an initial boost.
Tsang also pledged to review social welfare planning, enhance the long-term welfare development strategy and improve services to the disabled, single- parent families and the elderly.
He would also offer more resources to establish a Children's Development Fund to support children from low- income families.
The chief executive of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, Christine Fang Meng-sang, who is also a member of the government's Social Welfare Advisory Committee, said that since the handover, the social welfare sector has been missing out on a long- term development plan, which has given rise to many problems.
``I hope his action plan can be more comprehensive, taking into consideration Hong Kong's rapidly aging population. Areas like long-term care needs, health-care financing and income protection for the elderly should be looked into as a whole package,'' she said.
2007年8月22日星期三
Helping the poor to help themselves
南華早報 SCMP 2007-03-25
For nearly 15 years, Danny Leung Hong-hei had plied his trade as a repairman across the housing estates of Kowloon. But, as the 20th century drew to a close and Hong Kong's construction boom turned to bust, sam hong work dried up completely.
Unemployed construction workers flooded the job market and Mr Leung was forced on to a benefit to support his wife and two young children. For five years, the family struggled to survive in their Shek Kip Mei apartment on HK$4,000 a month plus rent allowance.
I tried to find a job by asking friends to refer me, from previous employers, from newspapers and the labour exchange, he said. But it was very difficult and I had little chance of getting work. I had to do anything I could to earn a living and I tried to sell second-hand VCDs as a hawker in Ap Lui Street. I tried to buy them cheaply from one store and resell them for a small profit.
But the hawking didn't really come to much and, as the family fell deeper into poverty, Mr Leung resorted to borrowing cash from money lenders at a high rate of interest. Today, he is still struggling to pay off his debts but at least has regular full-time work with Sam Hong Workers' Mutual Aid Engineering company.
The firm is one of more than 180 social enterprises that have sprung up over recent years as Hong Kong turns to new business initiatives in an effort to beat unemployment and tackle pressing social needs. They are turning out products ranging from wheelchairs to eco-friendly soap and providing community-oriented services such as home-help for the elderly, recycling, school tuck shops and pest-control.
The Commission on Poverty, led by Financial Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen, is promoting social enterprises as a key plank of its drive to alleviate poverty and develop people's self-reliance.
The catch-all term - borrowed from Britain - covers a variety of organisational models, including co-operatives, welfare companies and charitable trusts, that provide jobs for unemployed people.
For a business to qualify as a social enterprise, it must have objectives that are primarily social and its surpluses have to be mainly reinvested either in the business or in the community, rather than siphoned off as profits for shareholders and owners.
It is an idea whose time appears to have come. Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen has pledged in his re-election platform to personally take charge of support for social enterprises in districts where unemployment rates are at least 2 percentage points above average.
But getting a social enterprise off the ground can be a really difficult task, as non-governmental organisations - and even political parties - that have pioneered the new type of business organisation in Hong Kong can testify.
The sam hong company that is helping Mr Leung to get back on his feet was launched by the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood (ADPL) after the Social Welfare Department commissioned the party to set up a training programme for repairmen.
Association legislator Frederick Fung Kin-kee said that about half the repairmen who went through the programme gained building work qualifications but most still could not find a job. So the party had decided to step in and help create the work opportunities they needed. It set up the company in 2002 and used its political network to tout for business for the repairmen.
A team of unemployed repairmen was taken on and they quickly built up quite a good client network in Sham Shui Po but by the second year the turnover was only HK$500,000.
At the beginning the results were not very good, said Mr Fung. There were some traditional problems that we were facing. In the sam hong tradition in Hong Kong, you only get the money three months after you complete the job. This is all very well if you are a big company with lots of money - but we didn't have the money. And it is not only the salaries. You have to buy the materials and cover the running costs of the office.
We asked the government and we asked some corporate bodies for help but no one responded. So at the very beginning, we just borrowed the money - about HK$300,000 - from the ADPL.
A high-profile launch had been arranged for the company and afterwards there was a rush of orders for repair work - but they were all small jobs commissioned by party members, friends and associates.
The problem was that we only had one manager to check the projects - the price of the materials and so forth - and there were too many orders for one manager to deal with, said Mr Fung. It was a terrible situation because, even though we had the orders coming in and we had the workers available, we had to turn some of the work down. If the party had not been there to help, we would not have made it.
In the private sector we face competition from some of the most successful companies and successful workers. And the public sector is a key potential market for social enterprises. But we can't work for the government because of the restrictions.
Mr Fung said that to get on to the housing department's bidding list, building companies had to put down a HK$1.5 million deposit, have at least five years' experience and have done business worth more than HK$10 million.
From the second year, the company began bidding for larger contracts that would bring more cash for less administration and it has now got on to the bidding lists of the Hong Kong Housing Society, Goodwell Property Management and the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. As a result, annual turnover is up to HK$1.5 million.
NGO Stewards Ltd runs 17 social enterprises that have a combined turnover of HK$12 million and employ 83 people with disabilities and more than 70 others. They include a mushroom farm, school tuck shops, a hospital convenience store, a landscape gardening business and a pot plant nursery.
Social service executive secretary Philip Chan Shiu-kan said it had tried to launch more than 20 businesses, but some had been overwhelmed by start-up problems. Projects had to be devised correctly so they met a real need, covered their costs and did not conflict with existing social enterprise and small businesses in the area. This required a high level of professional and managerial skill. The sam hong company is now set on bold plans to double its workforce and treble turnover within three years after winning HK$103 million last year through the Enhancing Self Reliance through District Partnerships programme, which provides start-up grants for projects that alleviate poverty and help disadvantaged communities.
The programme is one of several initiatives that the government has launched to support social enterprises. A total of HK$150 million is being pumped over the next five years into its sister project Enhancing Employment of People with Disabilities through Small Enterprise.
The Commission on Poverty, which came up with the programmes, has also helped NGO umbrella organisation the Hong Kong Council for Social Service and several universities to jointly set up a training programme for social enterprise managers that is due to start in May.
And it is working with the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Mentorship Association to develop a programme that will assign a volunteer business adviser to every social enterprise.
Changes to public procurement rules and the regulatory framework for social enterprises are also under way. In April last year, government departments got the go-ahead to give special consideration in open tenders to businesses employing disabled people or bring in restrictive tenders for such firms.
And a trial is now under way for a bidding process for government contracts that will take account of the number of people who have been retrained by the Employees Retraining Board that the tendering companies employ.
Stephen Cheung Yan-leung, chair professor of finance at City University and poverty commision member, said: This package of measures will provide the necessary support to enable more social enterprises to be successfully set up in Hong Kong.
These special initiatives will provide a good opportunity for those who have been jobless for a long time to get back on their feet and go back into the job market.
But social enterprise chiefs say tax incentives and interest-free loans are also needed to convert Mr Tsang's election promise into reality.
Earlier this month, leaders of more than 40 social enterprises attended the first of a series of consultative meetings being held by the social service council in the lead up to a government summit on the issue.
Christine Fang Meng-sang, chief executive of the social service council, said it supported the measures suggested at the meeting by representatives of enterprises including MentalCare Connect, Bright Service Company and Rehabilitation Alliance.
It takes tax incentives or recognition to encourage businesses to contract out services to social enterprises, work in partnership with them or even invest in them, she said.
The government could encourage the business sector by giving tax incentives to businesses that offer contracts or give rent discounts to the social enterprises.
It currently offers interest-free loans to small and medium-sized enterprises and they should also offer these loans to social enterprises. If the government really wants to make it work, these are some of the things that they could consider.
Assurance on poverty fight as chief talks business
南華早報 2007-06-02
Financial Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen believes the next administration will put its efforts into alleviating poverty despite the dissolution of the Poverty Commission.
Mr Tang, who heads the commission, was speaking yesterday as the chief executive rallied support for the development of social enterprises - an approach to poverty alleviation he put forward in his re-election campaign.
Wrapping up the last meeting of the commission, Mr Tang would not yield to a request for the creation of a high-level body to take forward initiatives to address poverty. The move was proposed by Democratic Party vice-chairman Tik Chi-yuen, who said more than half the commission's 24 members backed him.
Mr Tang said: "Many members considered that, as the commission had made a good start on poverty alleviation, such work should be continued. I have expressed to them Mr Tsang's emphasis on the work and I believe [Hong Kong's] third post-handover government will continue with the task."
At a symposium on social enterprises, the chief executive described them as a key initiative for tackling poverty.
Mr Tsang said a social enterprise was a business with primarily social objectives, most of whose profits were reinvested in the business or invested in the community in pursuance of those objectives. It was not driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners.
Such enterprises were a way to create jobs for people who found it hard to get work with other employers and to help the disadvantaged re-enter the job market, he said.
Co-operation between the community, the business sector and government was crucial to promoting their development, he said.
Hong Kong had about 200 social enterprises, which needed more support from the business sector, Mr Tsang said.
"Aside from financial support, it is more important to help them enhance their competitiveness, like providing them with business instruction and training."
David Chiu, acting chief operations officer of the Salvation Army, which has been running social enterprises in Hong Kong since the 1960s, said high rents remained a problem.
"We are calling for property owners who have a strong sense of social responsibility to lease their places to us at lower rents," he said.
Social enterprises offer chance to beat poverty
南華早報 2007-06-02
The Commission on Poverty held its last meeting yesterday and, as of the end of the month, the body will be no more. The government has insisted that the dissolution of the commission will in no way mean that it is keeping less of an eye on the least advantaged in society. It remains to be seen whether it will live up to its pledge.
So far, it is heartening that officials have said the right things. Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen made poverty reduction a key plank of his election platform, in which he said "the widening wealth gap is a critical social problem in Hong Kong". He listed poverty, along with the environment and education, as issues high on his agenda, and promised to take charge of promoting initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty, such as setting up social enterprises in communities with high concentrations of low-income families to create employment opportunities.
His raising of the latter issue at a forum yesterday would seem to indicate that he means business. Given the scale of the problem, however, he has much work to do.
Hong Kong's ever-evolving work environment and ageing population means that some people are losing their jobs and lack the skills to find new ones. The situation has always been problematic for the disabled or those leaving school with poor marks. As there is no minimum wage, rising living costs can add to the stress.
A series of schemes has been set up by the government, but those formulated by the commission aimed at encouraging companies and non-governmental groups to establish social enterprises are where most impetus is being placed.
Many would argue that any business that does not put profit ahead of everything else is doomed to fail. To them, the notion that a socially responsible business goes out of its way to employ workers suffering from various disabilities or a lack of skills is simply preposterous. However, with the success of such ventures elsewhere, including Britain, there is good reason for optimism.
In Hong Kong, there are about 200 such enterprises, training and employing thousands of people in ventures including repair work, mushroom farming, landscape gardening, school canteens and convenience stores. Many are manned by a mix of disabled and able-bodied workers, who are all paid market rates for their labour. Though their margins are relatively low, what is important is that they are profitable and their workers do not have to depend on government handouts.
Admittedly, not every social enterprise succeeds. Non-governmental organisations may have the heart to help the weak and the poor, but they lack the business acumen to ensure the ventures' survival. This is where successful businessmen could chip in to make a contribution. Social enterprises that can tap their expertise are more likely to fly.
Until now, the focus of poverty relief efforts has been on providing welfare to the needy. While such assistance must continue, a far better way of helping the poor is to create suitable employment opportunities.
With our ever-widening wealth gap, the social welfare challenges of an ageing society and an increasingly competitive business environment, Hong Kong has a considerable task ahead in its fight against poverty and unemployment. Apart from attracting more companies and encouraging new ventures, social enterprises offer a viable solution.
Helping needy help themselves
南華早報 2007-06-23
The Commission on Poverty may have been disbanded but its mission to help the poor to help themselves is being carried on by academics and university students.
Steven Chen Kwun-man, a first-year student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, is a member of a group of students that beat 68 teams to win the Hong Kong Social Enterprise Challenge last week. They tied with a team from the University of Hong Kong.
Mr Chen's group proposed a business plan for a laundry service in Aberdeen that offered hand-washing alongside machine-washing.
"We will hire people from disadvantaged groups, such as non-skilled housewives and the disabled, for them to get a chance to work in a real-world environment," he said.
The competition, which originated from a contest at CUHK but was held for the first time among all universities in Hong Kong, encourages young people to develop an entrepreneurial spirit through achieving both business and social goals. Social enterprises refer to businesses operated both to raise revenue and to further a social mission.
Timothy Tam Yu-chuen, a member of an HKU team that proposed a catering service for the elderly, said: "When you set up a social enterprise, you have to consider the needs of different people. It's very meaningful."
Junnie Wong, a housewife living in Tung Chung who runs a beauty salon that was set up based on a proposal by CUHK students in previous years, said regular work boosted the self-image of housewives. The salon is not making a profit yet and now occupies a room in a local NGO.
Research centre for social enterprises takes shape at HKU
南華早報 2007-07-08
A centre to help launch and develop social enterprises is taking shape at the University of Hong Kong.
Veteran charity leader Raymond Yim Chun-man was given a room in the university's Social Sciences Research Centre last month to conduct and co-ordinate research into social enterprises and provide help and advice for organisations trying to set them up in Hong Kong.
"As far as we know, it is the first home for research of this sort in Hong Kong," said centre director John Bacon-Shone. "It is not a formal centre in HKU at this stage, but we believe it has real potential in exactly the same way that science and technology transfer spin-offs do in science."
The Social Enterprise Incubation Centre helped to launch Greendesign, a graphic design shop employing three young people which opened last week at the Methodist Centre in Kwun Tong with funding from the government's Enhancing Self-Reliance Through District Partnerships programme.
The centre is acting as a consultant to three fledgling enterprises aiming to provide work for immigrant women from the mainland, the elderly and ex-prisoners. They are expected to open over the next year.
Mr Yim, who has registered for a PhD at HKU, is organising a forum on social enterprises at the university early next year and is hoping to attract experts from the United States and Britain to share their experience with leaders from Hong Kong's business and voluntary sectors.
He said he hoped to encourage other social science postgraduates to research the topic.
Social enterprises are businesses that provide work for unemployed people, meet social objectives and put profits into the business or the community rather than paying shareholders. They are a key plank of Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen's anti-poverty policy.
In his election platform, he vowed to take charge of support for social enterprises in districts where unemployment rates are at least 2 percentage points above average. More than 180 have been set up in recent years, and Mr Tsang has predicted the new type of business could generate business equal to 0.5 per cent of the city's gross domestic product.
But Mr Yim, who is director of volunteer-run social-service provider the Methodist Centre in Wan Chai, said most so-called social enterprises were using government funding to set up projects that provided work for needy people, but were not functioning as viable businesses.
"I hope that the centre will be able to help some of these projects become commercially viable."
2007年8月21日星期二
社會建設勝過派錢扶貧
....... "香港人相信機會上的平等，而不是均等分配的平均主義。所以，長期以來，香港人重視制度化(較具體地表現為清晰的「遊戲規則」、明確的秩序、有系統的安排和高透明度)，強調每人都有相同的機會爭取更好的生活。"
.....
" 他們接受在社區層面上投入更多社會資源，令一般經濟狀況的市民都可以有條件去提升個人的能力，給主動、積極、有上進心的普通民眾自我提升的機會。在很多香港人眼中，這不算是搞福利，而是搞社會建設。 "
作者: 呂大樂
刊載於《星島日報》 2005年2月2日
2007年8月19日星期日
發展社會企業解決社會失業
信報財經新聞 2007-03-13 張仁良
香港的貧富收入差距正在日益擴大。雖然香港經濟已經走出低谷並逐漸復甦，股市也隨之走出低迷，但仍錄得百分之四點四的失業率。如何縮小社會貧富差距，構建和諧社會？角逐連任特首的曾蔭權提出的扶貧政綱，提出要繼續推動社會企業，協助失業人士就業。筆者對社會企業的理念深表贊同，推動發展社會企業，將有助於緩解社會失業問題，有利於構建和諧社會。
本港經濟持續復甦，為什麼還會有百分之四點四的失業率？實際上，勞動力市場上存在供求不匹配問題，一邊是有人沒工作，一邊是有工沒人作。筆者看來，至少有兩方面的原因。
第一，本港勞動密集型產業已在消失（甚至已經消失），社會需要的是高技能、高教育水平的人才，但與此同時，市場上仍存在大量低技能勞動力，從而導致失業。因為供過於求，他們在工資上缺少議價能力，即使經濟復甦，其工資仍只能在低水平徘徊，無法受惠經濟發展。這些失業人士多為教育水平偏低的中年男性。
第二，一些偏遠地區，可能未能提供足夠的工作職位，給本地區的低教育水平人士。這些人士若要就業，就需去市區上班，但要因此承擔高昂的交通費。這些提供給低技能人士的工作職位，收入本來偏低，再扣除昂貴的交通費用，已經所剩無幾，薪酬水平更顯得不吸引。這可能導致住在偏遠地區的低技能人士，寧願失業不工作，也不到市區工作。
在地區層面解決問題
如何解決這些低技能人士的就業問題？筆者認為，應採用以地區層面為主的方法，也就是說，盡力在地區層面上創造出更多就業機會。因為，最了解一個地區的，是這個地區自己，這個地區最清楚它的市場需求在哪裏。
如何在地區層面上創造就業機會呢？筆者認為，可鼓勵地區發展社會企業，解決本地區的社會就業問題。雖然政府在解決失業中的作用不可或缺，但真正創造就業機會的主要驅動力，還是私營部門，也就是企業。同樣的，在發展社會企業時，不能僅僅依靠政府的資助，而應依賴於政府、企業和非政府機構之間的多方合作和努力，同時，社會企業的發展，反過來又會促進這種合作夥伴關係，形成良性循環。
社會企業與一般的企業不同，它有雙重目標：創造利潤持續經營的經濟目標和創造工作崗位的社會目標。社會企業對於長期失業的人士來說格外重要，他們可以以此作為跳板，重返勞工市場。雖然這個創意聽起來不錯，但知易行難。
首先是，如何轉變非政府機構的觀念？他們長期以來專注於提供服務，而不是商業化經營。其次，私營企業精於經商之道，本港富豪雲集，他們中的好心者，多通過慷慨捐贈回饋社會，而不是花時間來指導非政府機構進行商業運作。
倡導企業社會責任
讓非政府機構和私營企業與政府達成夥伴合作關係，共同促進社會企業，似乎頗有難度。筆者覺得，推進企業社會責任的理念，將有助於促成和實現這種三者的合作關係。在成熟的發達市場，企業社會責任並不是一個新的概念。企業社會責任是指，企業應不僅僅以股東利益最大化為目標，還應考慮對社會其他利益團體需承擔的責任，比如社會公眾、政府、員工等。香港應鼓勵企業更注重企業社會責任，捐贈應不僅僅局限於金錢的範疇，更是付出時間和努力，企業慷慨捐款固然值得讚揚，但如果他們能花一些時間和精力，為社會承擔更多的責任，比如發展社會企業，善莫大焉。
政府和非政府機構，應考慮制定類似的投資政策，將富餘的現金投資於這些社會責任感強的企業。另外，政府亦可通過相關的激勵政策（比如稅收優惠、公開評選活動）等，對主動承擔企業社會責任的企業進行獎勵。
通過政府、非政府機構和私營企業之間的合作，扶助社會企業發展，將是解決本港失業問題的重要出路，這亦將有利於縮小社會貧困差距，構建和諧社會。
城市大學經濟及金融系講座教授
解開社會企業的迷思與難局
信報財經新聞 2007-04-11 何順文李元莎
自從財政司唐英年帶領的扶貧委員會提出「社會企業」的方案，加上曾蔭權在連任特首選舉政綱內一再提及，將積極推動社會企業以幫助不幸的社群，令社會企業這一概念或詞語突然在香港流行起來。
但很可惜，政府及非牟利自願團體（下稱團體）從來沒有清楚解釋或界定什麼是社會企業，及其與商業組織或慈善商店有何不同。雖然近年很多社區團體扮演社會創業家（social entrepreneurs）紛紛創業，但對很多大眾市民來說，社會企業（social enterprise）仍然是一個陌生的名詞，不同人有不同的理解，甚至誤解和混亂，也妨礙了社會企業在本港的發展。
事實上，社會企業在西方社會已有近百年的歷史。雖然社會企業沒有共識的定義，但其重要特徵就是社會目標與商界創業精神的結合。簡單而言，社會企業（或簡稱「社企」）就是指能達致某一社會價值或目標（如服務單獨老人、幫助單親家庭父母、為傷殘或弱智人士提供就業等），並能夠自負盈虧甚至盈利的一門生意。與一般牟利企業不同，社企有兩個表現指標（double bottom-lines）：財務性及社會性，缺一不可（有學者加上環境性為第三指標）。社企從交易活動所產生的盈餘，將留存有關企業作發展，或用以投放於其他社會用途；而社企也可以透過其本身活動運作（如僱用殘疾人士）來達致社會目標。
社企有一定程度的獨立性和經濟風險，並重受活動影響的人士之參與。雖然社企的種類和模式頗多，但其活動可綜合為三大類型：培訓與安置失業人士、為人服務，以及開發被忽略的地區。在西方，社企被視為界乎私有和公有之間的經濟體系，又稱為第三產業或社會經濟。政府對社企的理解狹窄
曾蔭權認為發展社會企業能促使商界、團體及失業人士合作，達致惠及社群的目標。在特首眼中，社會企業的目的就是扶貧和創造就業，似乎忽略了其他的社會需要。
曾蔭權亦指出政府能為社會企業提供較佳營商環境和支援措施，包括提供種子基金、低價批地及稅務寬減等。在香港，大部分現存社企都是由非牟利團體經營，起步資金主要來自政府民政事務署的「夥伴倡自強」社區協作計劃、社會福利署的「創業展才能」計劃和扶貧委員會的種子基金，但普偏缺乏商界參與。社企也是一門生意，政府當局必須保持公平競爭，不應作過分補貼、資助或保護。
更重要的是社企不必重複現有的行業作不必要的競爭，而是鼓勵創意和創業精神，創發老人救命鐘就是成功一例。但現在的社企主要是為弱勢社群提供就業機會而較忽視創新元素。例如開辦餐廳主要僱用殘疾人士、開設零售商店聘用弱智人士，訓練盲人作按摩師，或由失業三行工人組成互助工程公司。這些都是主要為弱勢人士提供踏腳石，幫助他們重投社會和公開就業市場，甚至自行創業。
大部分社企三年內結業
目前英國來自社會企業的產值，佔當地生產總值達百分之一，而香港社會企業的經濟總值微不足道，仍屬剛起步階段。一如外地，社企在香港發展路上遇到不少困難。
事實上，創業難、守業更難、創守社企就最難。很多人誤以為開辦社企較容易，顧客會因為商店的崇高社會目標而多光顧。但研究證明只當產品質量、服務和價錢相若，顧客才會理會或支持商戶的社會目標。例如便利店的顧客服務欠佳或裝修工程公司手工差，就算最有社會理想的顧客都會避之則吉。有些人甚致對僱用殘疾人士的商店存有偏見，覺得他們的產品或服務質量較差。另外也有些人以為開辦社企資金較低而事實相反，例如獲免費或低廉舖租但地處偏僻和欠缺人流，隱藏成本高最終令社企得不償失。有些社企只籌獲足夠開頭資本，但卻忽視了未來的營運成本需要。據外國經驗，社企如要生存，至少一半的收入要來自營運活動（其餘可來自團體補貼或贊助），因此自願團體經常性的籌款活動不可中斷。
根據外國資料顯示，絕大部分的社企在三年內結業。原因是社企本質上是商業機構，須面對激烈的市場競爭，但往往因缺乏優勢和有效管理令社企逐漸失去競爭能力。很多這類社企的管理人都是社工出身，沒有營商管理知識或經驗，特別在市場推廣、成本控制和質量控制方面。有些社企創辦人誤以為不必理會賺錢多與否，只要生意能生存及達到某些社會功能就已足夠；但事實是社企的社會價值只是衡量他們是否成功的多項指標之一。
相反地，社企只賺錢是不足夠的，還要衡量其社會價值，例如顧用殘疾人士兩年後，究竟有多少人仍留任、員工平均月薪的增幅，以及員工減少倚賴公共福利和服務的程度。很多社會創業家往往未能平衝商業目標與社會目標；因此有關自願機構應改變其思維和態度，努力學習營商管理之道。
另一個問題就是缺乏商界的參與。理論上，商界可以下列一個或多個途徑參與，成為社會創業家以履行企業社會責任：
一、注資成立、擁有及自行管理社企。
二、直接注資或設立社企發展基金，協助自願團體成立及管理社企。
三、將公司外判業務如清潔和保安交由社企負責。
四、提供管理諮詢及培訓服務給社企領導與員工。
因社企往往與企業的策略和核心業務不符，筆者一般不贊成企業擁有及自行管理社企。實際上，很多大企業不懂社企理念，只願意每年作慷慨慈善捐贈，而不欲花精神時間打理或指導團體社企從事商業營運活動；但近年因盛行企業社會責任的概念，這有助吸引企業參與以上的合作關係。
官商社民合作推社企發展
在發展社企時，不能單靠政府的資助。如獲官、商、自願團體和弱勢社群的多方合作努力，社企的發展空間和潛力機會將較大。特首多次強調動員官商民三方合作，更點名要求大財團領袖協助推動社企發展，並準備在Ｏ七年中召開「社企高峰會」。扶貧委員會將鼓勵商界在三個層面推動社企，包括「師友計劃」，協助培訓管理人才（類似Ｏ六年開始社聯和商界的合作計劃）；由商界及銀行提供資金，成立仿效英國的「慈善銀行」，以低息貸款給有志成立社企的單位；為全新的「社會公益公司」立法，即以非慈善性質的公司形式進行商業活動，而且可向個別股東派發股息，藉此吸引商界成立社企。筆者對前兩項方案表示支持，但對最後一項則表保留，因派息做法可能違反了社企的原來精神。
由於很多非牟利團體缺乏知名度、網絡和公關資源，較難直接要求商界伸出援手，因此政府要扮演一積極中界角色，向商界推介社企，促成配對工作。另外，政府可統籌商界在地區發展社企以解決地區的就業和其他社會問題。
在香港社企仍在起步學習階段，各持份者也在學習中，從而找到一個最適合香港的社企管治模式。社企的健康發展，也有利香港構建一個和諧社會。
何順文?浸會大學工商管理學院院長兼教授
李元莎?浸會大學工商管理學院博士研究生