Sustainability and Challenges of Social Business Operating in Bangladesh-Perception of Employers and Employees

Social business is a pioneering idea originated in Bangladesh. Creativity, entrepreneurship and the desire to make the world a better place- these are feelings may inspire to start a social business. This study is an endeavor to explore the rating of importance concerning financial and economic; environmental issues; social, legal and ethical issues of sustainability also challenges of social business in the selected enterprises. Fifteen social business enterprises operating in Bangladesh were selected for this study. The findings indicate that the significant financial and economic sustainability factors are strategic financial planning, profitability, productivity, accountability and transparency, cost saving, management efficiency and addition to investment etc. and the noteworthy environmental issues are waste management, maintaining ecological balance, emission of carbons etc. The foremost social, legal and ethical issues are building trust and image, product with reasonable price etc. that affect the sustainability of the social business though they are facing some constraints and challenges like lack of startup capital and working capital, lack of adequate loan provision, delay in loan processing, higher rate of interest etc. according to their opinion.