Converging Blockchain and Social Business for Socio-Economic Development

In recent years, there has been a growing research attention and practitioner interest in exploring the suitability of Blockchain technology for decentralised applications in multiple domains. This paper investigates the application of Blockchain technology to address some of the key challenges faced by the domain of Social Business (SB). SB is a business model for investments in social causes for the socio-economic development of under-privileged communities. We have modelled a small example of micro-credit use-case from microfinance activities of SB using a semi-formal modelling approach using Blockchain technology. We identified that the Blockchain technology provide solutions that enhance trust, transparency and auditability in SB activities. However, we have also identified challenges related to creating a native cryptocurrency for SB, and barriers to infrastructure and technology adoption by the different stakeholders in SB.