Routledge Social Enterprise in the Construction Industry: Building Better Communities

Through the emerging lens of social enterprise, this book examines how the global construction industry can engage more effectively with the communities in which it builds, addressing disadvantage and environmental degradation to leave a positive legacy for future generations. Combining insights from leading research and real-life case studies of social enterprise in the construction sector, the result is a practical framework which will help social enterprises, clients, consultants and construction firms work collectively to build a thriving social enterprise sector. Readers of this timely book will learn to embrace social enterprise and an important new sector in the global construction industry. They will learn to see community involvement as an opportunity rather than a risk, and fully understand the broader role they can play in building a fairer and more sustainable society. Review Social Enterprise in the Construction Industry is a timely and accessible book on the vital subject of how to create new opportunities in a restricted jobs market. As CEO of Australia’s peak body for employment services, I know how tough it can be to get people into sustainable employment. Social enterprises represent truly innovative possibilities to create jobs, and this book takes those endeavours to the next level by showing us how partners and resources can be combined to build a line of sight to real jobs in the construction industry. Social Enterprise in the Construction Industry draws on research and the rich experience of social enterprise developers working in this field. It is an authoritative guide for those contemplating a social enterprise, as well as being a great resource for anyone interested in how we can tackle unemployment in new ways. Sally Sinclair, CEO, National Employment Services Association, Australia BoysTown in Australia’s largest youth charity. On countless occasions, following a period of paid employment in social enterprises, I have watched people’s personal growth as they develop the workplace skills and behaviours that enable them to obtain and retain employment in the open market. Building on the authors understanding of the construction industry and of social enterprise, Social Enterprise in the Construction Industry explains why and how social enterprises make good commercial sense and how they benefit the wider community. This is a valuable and important book that I recommend and which in my opinion deserves a wide readership. John Perry, General Manager – Employment, Education and Training, BoysTown, Australia About the Author Martin Loosemore is a Professor of Construction Management at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. He has published numerous articles and books in the areas of corporate social responsibility, risk management, innovation and human resource management. Dave Higgon has over 35 years’ experience in the building and construction industry. His broad experience covers management of workplace health and safety, industrial relations and staff training and development. His background includes time spent as a union organizer, tradesman, building industry subcontractor, university lecturer and currently as employee relations manager for Brookfield Multiplex.