Navigating the triple bottom line: comparing the social, environmental, and financial goals of rural and urban social enterprises in the UK

Social enterprises pursue social, environmental, and financial goals, but balancing them can be challenging. Geography influences how these goals are prioritized, yet comparative studies of rural and urban social enterprise sustainability are limited. This study examines these rural-urban differences among UK social enterprises. Using data from 2,402 businesses from the UK’s Longitudinal Small Business Survey (2017, 2019, 2021) and non-linear decomposition analysis, the results highlight that rural social enterprises demonstrate stronger environmental commitments than urban counterparts. However, there were no significant differences in social and financial objectives between rural and urban businesses, and similar levels of these business goals across locations. Based on the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework and the contextual embeddedness perspective, the results highlight the influence of geographical context and organizational characteristics on social enterprise TBL strategies. Given the unique features of different locations, our results point to the need for targeted policies that support urban social enterprises in overcoming barriers to environmental sustainability, and broader support for both rural and urban enterprises in achieving social and financial objectives. Fostering collaboration between rural and urban enterprises may further enhance knowledge-sharing, access to resources, and overall impact.