Social business was defined by
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Prof.
Muhammad Yunus and is described in his books
Creating a world without poverty—Social Business and the future of capitalism and
Building Social Business—The new kind of capitalism that serves humanity's most pressing needs. Philosophically, Social Business is based on what Yunus identifies as the two basic motives of human beings, Selfishness and Selflessness. Selfishly, people do seek profit through business; however, Social Business is also based on the latter motive people by performing philanthropic services, like establishing churches, mosques, synagogues, art museums, public parks, health clinics or community centers. For Yunus, the profits made through a Social Business's operations are less important than the beneficial effects it has on society. Muhammad Yunus has more recently founded
Yunus Social Business (YSB)] to study, support, and invest in young social businesses.