Problem. Social entrepreneurship is a phenomenon that has gained widespread recognition in recent decades and is increasingly viewed as an effective tool for addressing pressing social problems. However, despite growing research interest, a universally accepted definition of this phenomenon has yet to be developed, which creates methodological difficulties in studying its impact, evaluating its effectiveness, and forming consistent support policies. This study is dedicated to analyzing the historical evolution of approaches to studying social entrepreneurship, systematizing and generalizing existing research paradigms. Methodology. The work employs a comprehensive methodology combining theoretical analysis, historical-comparative, and classification approaches, which allows for tracing the evolution of major scientific schools, systematizing the criteria for identifying social entrepreneurship, and identifying the internal contradictions of each of the concepts under consideration. Research Results. Key stages in the evolution of the concept of social entrepreneurship have been identified, reflecting changing socio-economic conditions and the transformation of perceptions about the role of business in solving societal problems. A comparative analysis of four scientific schools – the American innovative, the socio-entrepreneurial, the European EMES (The Emergence of Social Enterprise in Europe), and the British pragmatic – and four theoretical paradigms: the innovative-individualistic, the organizational-hybrid, the institutional-cooperative, and the pragmatic-political – has been conducted. The convergent nature of the Russian model of social entrepreneurship has been substantiated, organically combining market self-sufficiency with the priority of state support and a focus on vulnerable population groups. Theoretical approaches to defining social entrepreneurship have been systematized: the mission-driven, the innovative, the entrepreneurial, and the transformational. An author's definition is proposed: social entrepreneurship is an innovative, economically sustainable activity of a hybrid type, carried out at the intersection of market mechanisms and social mission, and aimed at achieving a priority, measurable, and scalable positive social impact. Practical Application. Understanding the historical stages of social entrepreneurship development and various theoretical approaches has been found to enable the development of more effective government support strategies and provides social entrepreneurs with the opportunity for informed choices regarding business models and scaling strategies.
