From Haewon-Sangsaeng to Social Entrepreneurship: Proposing the ERMB Model and Its Educational Implementation

ABSTRACT

[Objective] This study integrates Haewon-Sangsaeng (the Resolution of Grievances for Mutual Beneficence) from Daesoon Thought with social entrepreneurship to develop a morally and spiritually grounded entrepreneurship model. It shifts attention from economic-social performance balance to ethical motivation and relational harmony as the foundations of entrepreneurial action.[Contents] Through a philosophical review of Haewon-Sangsaeng and case analyses of domestic and international social ventures, the study examines how Haewon (reconciliation), Sangsaeng (mutual beneficence), and Johwa (harmony) are embodied in practice. It proposes the Entrepreneurship of Reconciliation and Mutual Beneficence (ERMB) model, consisting of three sequential dimensions: ethical awareness (Haewon), community-centered value creation (Sangsaeng), and relational leadership (Johwa). Based on this framework, a 15-week curriculum is also developed to foster Haewon-Sangsaeng-oriented entrepreneurship.[Conclusions] The study expands the philosophical foundation of social entrepreneurship by incorporating an Eastern moral and spiritual perspective, addressing Western-centric limitations in existing discourse. It also offers a practical pedagogical framework for ethical and communitybased entrepreneurship education, advancing “entrepreneurship for social reconciliation and coexistence” as a guiding paradigm for sustainable social innovation.