Abstract

The main objective is to analyze the institutional identity of Peruvian social enterprises, taking into account their motivations and objectives. In addition, it seeks to ascertain the characteristics of the target groups they prioritize in their institutional purposes, and to identify the social relationships they build with these groups. The qualitative methodology employed the case study model. Using the snowball technique, eleven organizations participated in the study. Primary (in-depth interviews) and secondary (cabinet analysis) sources were used. The results demonstrate that the institutional identity of these social enterprises responds to social, environmental and economic motivations. The target population may be either direct, assuming the role of customers, collaborators, beneficiaries, and suppliers; and/or indirect, assuming the role of customers, volunteers, and partners. These last two roles were found to be the most important. Finally, the study observed that the economic sustainability of social enterprises is still under construction.