Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development in Oasis and Semi-Arid Regions: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Oasis and semi-arid regions face multiple challenges including water scarcity, desertification, rural exodus, and economic marginalization. Despite abundant literature on social entrepreneurship in various geographical contexts, no systematic synthesis has specifically examined its role in oasis and semi-arid ecosystems, characterized by extreme water constraints and heightened climate vulnerability. This systematic review aims to fill this gap by synthesizing knowledge on the mechanisms through which social entrepreneurship contributes to sustainable development in these fragile zones. We define social entrepreneurship as a value-creation process combining explicit social mission, innovation in resource mobilization, and economic viability (Dees, 1998; Mair & Martí, 2006). Following the PRISMA 2020 protocol, a systematic search was conducted across three databases (Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar) covering the period 2003-2025. After deduplication and independent screening by two evaluators (k=0.82 for title/abstract; k=0.78 for full text), 58 studies were included in the final thematic synthesis. The synthesis reveals five main themes: (1) economic inclusion through valorization of local products and job creation, with 15-45 jobs per initiative documented in 12 Indian and Moroccan studies; (2) innovation in business models, particularly cooperatives (23 studies) and hybrid enterprises (15 studies); (3) environmental sustainability through innovative water management, with a 30-60% reduction in consumption documented in 8 studies; (4) community empowerment with female participation of 45-70% in cooperatives, reported by 14 studies; and (5) resilience and climate adaptation (18 studies). Studies originate primarily from India (21%), Morocco (19%), Egypt (12%), Jordan (9%), Kenya (7%), and Brazil (7%). Social entrepreneurship demonstrates significant potential for sustainable development of oasis regions, but requires strengthened institutional support, adapted financing mechanisms, and better measurement of long-term impacts.

Classification JEL: L31 & Q01

Paper type: Theoretical Research