Solidarity Economy Research Articles

The contributions of Enactus to South Africa’s Social and Solidarity Economy: A case study of a University

Background: Over the past decade, there has been a noticeable rise in worldwide acknowledgement of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) and its substantial socioeconomic and environmental benefits. In response, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution on 18 April 2023 advocating for government and institutional support to the SSE towards accelerating the achievement of sustainable development Goals (SDGs). However, there is a lack of understanding of how higher education institutions contribute to this agenda.Aim: The study examines the contributions of Entrepreneurial Action Us (Enactus) to South Africa’s SSE.Setting: The case study was conducted at the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State in South Africa, to examine how higher education and the SSE interact through Enactus initiatives.Methods: The study utilised a qualitative research design involving semi-structured interviews with 11 students and alumni and an analysis of Enactus’ annual impact reports. This allowed for a comprehensive understanding of participants’ experiences and perceptions regarding Enactus’ impact on the SSE.Results: Enactus enhances student entrepreneurship and innovation, promoting economic growth, job creation and community sustainability. Initiatives like the student-led Vermi Village Enterprise have empowered youth and women and created employment opportunities. Collaboration with local corporations and educational institutions has fostered sustainable changes, improving regenerative agriculture and urban food production, thus addressing multiple poverty facets.Conclusion: This study highlights the crucial role of initiatives like Enactus in promoting a more inclusive and sustainable economy, advancing the broader objectives of the SDGs, and supporting a brighter future for South Africa.Contribution: Despite resource limitations and the need for greater stakeholder engagement, Enactus projects and enterprises hold significant potential for driving sustainable development and socioeconomic equality, ultimately strengthening South Africa’s SSE.

Solidarity Economy as a Propositive Bias to Overcome Sexual Disparity in the Countryside: an Analysis Between Gender and Succession of Rural Property in Rio Grande do Norte

Objective: The objective of this study is to perform a Pearson correlation analysis between the variables “gender” and “succession”, and the non-parametric Kruscal-Wallis test, to answer which gender predominates in the succession process in family farming families in Rio Grande do Norte. Theoretical Framework: Solidarity economy is an international phenomenon with strong potential for change in population contexts, for the reinsertion and participation of workers in the means of production, bringing, in addition to the rational aspect of the economy, crucial issues to be debated in the status quo, such as fairer income distribution and the reduction of social and gender asymmetries. Method: The study included 137 family farmers from the state of Rio Grande do Norte, with more than 2 years of work experience, who answered the questionnaire with assertions organized on a Likert scale. Statistical analyses were performed using Pearson’s correlation test and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results and Discussion: Data indicate that the male gender is predominant in the succession process in family farming in Rio Grande do Norte, with men as the main representatives in the relationship between land ownership and gender. Research Implications: This study contributes to the discussion on the importance of solidarity-based self-management models in the historical reparation of gender inequality in the world of work. Originality/Value: The research elucidates answers about the succession process in family farming from a gender perspective, helping to resolve the questions that this topic has raised.

Organization of The Popular and Solidarity Economy for the Development of Entrepreneurships in Ecuador

Objective: Analyze the current organization of the popular and solidarity economy for the development of entrepreneurship, since through this financial income will be generated to improve poverty due to unsatisfied basic needs. Theoretical Framework: The research is based on the Organic Law of the popular and solidarity economy and the popular and solidarity financial sector. Method: To carry out the research, the rural parish of San José, Santa Clara canton, Pastaza province, Ecuador was selected. Three participatory workshops were held with 250 individuals (leaders-entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs), as a result of these a survey was developed, for its validation a pilot test was carried out with 15 leaders-entrepreneurs and 15 entrepreneurs from neighboring parishes, after this activity was designed the definitive survey that was applied to 75 leaders-entrepreneurs. Results and Discussion: The results revealed that poverty due to unmet basic needs in the rural area was 52.0% and, in the parish under study, 96.7%. Therefore, it is considered that the current organization of the popular and solidarity economy must be reformulated. Research Implications: The limited development of businesses for the inhabitants of the San José parish has not allowed them to obtain income to purchase the products of the basic family basket, which currently amounts to $799.73 dollars. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the country's public policy managers reviewing the current organization of the popular and solidarity economy, since it is not contributing to the development of entrepreneurship.

Os desafios de egressos do sistema prisional na inserção em ambientes laborais e o papel da política pública de economia solidária

Prison institutions, in Brazil, should be an effective instrument for the rehabilitation of people previously incarcerated after serving their sentence. However, the prison sphere has not provided effective opportunities to prepare these individuals. The principal objective of this article was to identify the challenges faced by people previously incarcerated for their insertion in the world of work and the contributions that the public policy of Solidarity Economy can provide in this process. It was a multi-case study and the data collection method consisted of semi-structured interviews with individuals who have already been in prison and are part of Solidarity Economy Cooperatives in the city of Araraquara, São Paulo state. As results found by the research with the people previously incarcerated, when trying to re-enter work environments, the following difficulties can be pointed out: prejudice and discrimination, lack of documentation, fine due with justice, low education, insufficient professional qualification to access more valued jobs in the world of work and the absence of programs that generate opportunities, both on the part of public power and society. The results of this research also point out that the Solidarity Economy public policy, which encourages the organization of people previously incarcerated in Solidarity Economy Enterprises, can be one of the alternatives to prevent criminal recidivism.

Innovative approaches to social impact measurement: a focus on the potential of artificial intelligence solutions

Purpose The existing literature highlights challenges in measuring social impact within social and solidarity economy organisations, particularly regarding the social return on investment (SROI) methodology. This paper aims to address the barriers to SROI implementation while exploring the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing the measurement of social impact. Design/methodology/approach This review-based paper synthesises research on SROI methodology limitations and recent AI developments while focusing on ethical considerations. Drawing from these domains, the study constructs a conceptual framework to guide future research. Findings The study identifies necessary enhancements to existing AI systems for social impact measurement and explores how advances in generative AI could refine current tools and address SROI constraints. It advocates for open AI models to address ethical concerns. Originality/value This study pioneers the integration of social impact assessment and AI, an innovative intersection in the academic literature. The growing disparity between academia and the rapidly evolving AI industry is highlighted and scholarly discourse is enriched through theoretical deliberations and innovative technological solutions.

Employment of Zakat Funds in Islam: A Jurisprudential Study

Zakat is mandatory contribution in Islam. It is the command (Pherman) of Allah revealed in holy interaction/discourse of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) with Allah. Islam stands for social and economic solidarity among the followers of Islam. It seeks to provide the basic needs of the individual out of the Zakat contribution pool. For this study, the aim is to discuss the noble and holy idea of employing zakat funds. The employment of Zakat funds are permissible in certain forms and prohibited in some. This distinction is made from the perspective of Islamic jurisprudence. The study proceeded with this aim and reached the following results: (i) the employment of zakat funds is undoubtedly meant for helping the poor, disabled, destitute, and sick or orphaned individuals. (ii) Zakat has five forms in which Zakat funds are deployed/dispensed; (iii) Zakat funds take the form of investment; (iv) Zakat funds are meant to be spent in public interests; (v) Zakat funds are converted into endowments. The forms of spending (iii) and (v) are prohibited by some jurists. They contend that the permissible forms of fund-employment are: (a) providing a vocational tool (felicitation giving equipment such as tools, instruments or other things) to the needy; (b) establishing projects that benefit the poor as a privileged group/class. The study makes recommendation that Zakat controlling institutions should take care of employment of Zakat resources-pool/reservoir in providing jobs to the unemployed poor and others eligible as per Islamic philosophy and the provision of vocational tools, instruments or equipment so that the eligible poor skilled individuals are able to work more efficiently to earn their livelihood.

Analysis of good practices of social impact measurement: the social balance sheet developed by the Spanish network of the social and solidarity economy

Purpose This study aims to analyse the good practices developed by the Spanish Social and Solidarity Network (one of the leading networks in the country) regarding its social balance sheet, created under the perspective of social and solidarity principles. This social balance sheet is implemented by its members for their self-evaluation. Design/methodology/approach By using a qualitative methodology based on triangulation, which includes a semi-structured interview with the manager of the social audit commission, the main good practices associated with this initiative of social impact measurement are attained. Moreover, two organisations implementing the social balance sheet have been analysed to obtain a complete perspective of the tool and the process developed by the network. Findings The main findings include: the social balance sheet dimensions are based on the social and solidarity principles, which enable companies to analyse the compliance of their activity with their philosophy; cooperation is crucial for the success of the tool; the efforts made by the network involve a range of different behaviours, all shared and published on social networks and the internet for free to diffuse the good practices of social impact measurement. Originality/value This research contributes to the literature on social entrepreneurship and social impact measurement by analysing the good practices regarding a social balance sheet, designed under the social and solidarity philosophy, whose procedure can serve as a reference for any other representative institutions or practitioners. From this view, this initiative can be considered a social innovation itself since it constitutes a step towards transforming society through the quantification of business activity from a more social perspective and through a process of participative governance by all the stakeholders involved.

Ecosistemi dell'innovazione: quale ruolo degli incubatori per lo sviluppo socio territoriale?

This study explores the role of incubators in social and territorial innovation in Argentina and Brazil. Using a quantitative methodology, the dynamics and collaborations of incubators with local actors were analysed. The results highlight how these spaces facilitate the creation of innovative projects, promoting the solidarity economy and strengthening community ties.The study contributes to the debate on social innovation and spatialisation dynamics.

The Social Economy and Contemporary Challenges: Innovation and Sustainability

This article explores the relevance of the social economy in addressing contemporary challenges through innovative and sustainable practices, supported by public policies. The research investigates the management models that social and solidarity economy organizations (SSEOs) employ to respond to the challenges of innovation and sustainability. The study includes an in-depth analysis of diverse operational models and accomplishments across various cases, presenting evidence on how the sector adopts innovative and sustainable practices. The article scrutinizes essential characteristics of SSEOs, such as democratic governance, reinvestment of surpluses in social businesses based on innovation and entrepreneurship, and a strong community orientation. These characteristics are examined for their relevance in addressing issues like social inequalities, digital transformation, and climate change. Additionally, the research includes an examination of four diverse cases of SSEOs established in mainland Portugal. It reveals the wide range of activities and significant interactions that these organizations have with various stakeholders in different economic and social contexts, contributing to regional social innovation ecosystems. The empirical study, based on a descriptive case study methodology applied to multiple and heterogeneous cases (in terms of fields of intervention and scale of resources), demonstrates that sustainability has become a driver in the social economy, within a framework of democratic governance and community involvement. Moreover, the research fills a gap in empirical literature by providing strong evidence through real cases of collaborative social innovation, the integration of environmental, social, and governance practices, as well as financial and regulatory support from the state for the resilience of SSEOs. The social value of the research lies in its empirical contribution to demonstrating how social business is a crucial element for communities to address global challenges, promoting economic growth and employment, social justice, including the fight against poverty, and environmental sustainability.

Financial Education and Level of Indebtedness for Popular and Solidarity Economy Organizations in the Province of Los Ríos and its Areas of Influence. Period 2023 – 2024

The project “Financial education and level of indebtedness for popular and solidarity economy organizations in the province of Los Ríos and its areas of influence” aims to improve financial education and the management of indebtedness of organizations in this sector in Ecuador. Through methodological strategies, it seeks to provide beneficiaries with the necessary skills to efficiently manage their financial resources, thus promoting the sustainable growth of their businesses and family well-being. The project, implemented by the Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo, involves a five-year intervention with the participation of finance students. In addition to training members of the organizations, scientific articles will be published to disseminate the project's progress and results. It is expected that at least 95% of the beneficiaries will acquire the skills to better manage their indebtedness and financial projection, generating a positive impact on their families and the community.

Los NODESS en Sinaloa como estrategia para incentivar el desarrollo regional

The Social and Solidarity Economy refers to a group of organizations that through their work promote socioeconomic, cultural and environmental development in a region. This model evokes cooperatives, ejidal communities, savings banks and foundations. In Mexico, the INAES regulates NODESS, defined as alliances between the social sector of the economy, academia and government, which unite their capabilities to have a positive impact on a region. The objective was to analyze the importance of the Social and Solidarity Economy and the relevance of NODESS alliances in Mexico, particularly in Sinaloa, as a regional development strategy. The research was qualitative, with the category study technique supported by the documentary record of digital scientific databases, with search criteria the period of the publications (2018 to 2023) and the keywords. The information was classified into concepts, practices and axes, synthesized and patterns were deduced. To deepen the analysis, a NODESS experience from Sinaloa was integrated. The results highlight the importance of the practices of the Social and Solidarity Economy in the communities and the acceptance of the NODESS in Mexico, the coincident axes were strengthening of productive management, associative entrepreneurship and professionalization of personnel. It is concluded that NODESS alliances are an opportunity to promote the primary sector in Sinaloa. For future research, it is proposed to prepare a compendium of good practices of the NODESS in Sinaloa, with the intention of disseminating it and promoting the creation of new alliances.

Relación entre desarrollo sostenible, economía y pobreza

Throughout this document, the opportunity is provided to show the relationship between sustainable development and economic growth, focusing on their definitions, their disparity and their consequences, at the same time that it gives us a vision on the evolution of the importance of economic development and of their inability to solve the problem of poverty. The satisfaction of the needs of the human being, would go through seeking a balance between economic growth, care for the environment and social welfare, a breakdown of this balance has put into question the traditional model of economic development, in which they raise fundamental questions where the very accumulation of wealth creates poverty. The bibliographic search carried out has led us to obtain a series of conclusions on the proposed terms,in which a robust social solidarity economy would lead us to the eradication of poverty. This work takes us to a reflection on the sustainability of natural resources, the viability of the economic development model and its rate of growth in a context of globalization in which localities are left behind, but without being forgotten, although they have no involvement in models that meet their development needs.

Innovating the Moroccan Social and Solidarity Economy: Sustainable Solutions for the Craft Sector

Innovating the Moroccan Social and Solidarity Economy: Sustainable Solutions for the Craft Sector

Overcoming challenges: the solidarity economy as a response to women's unpaid work in Ecuador

Overcoming challenges: the solidarity economy as a response to women's unpaid work in Ecuador

Una A ‘Transformation Compass’ for Social and Solidarity Economy Initiatives in their Transition towards Postgrowth

The current climate crisis and global inequalities trigger intense debates on the need of achieving socioecological transitions towards environmentally and socially just scenarios. In this context, the Social and Solidarity Economy and Postgrowth paradigms could play a major role in leading these transitions. The strong convergence between their principles opens the door for this article’s main contribution: a ‘Transformation Compass’. This tool allows Social and Solidarity Economy initiatives to approach a post-growth economy through a well-defined matrix, which incorporates Hinton’s (2021) characterization of postgrowth businesses. In addition, this Compass helps to assess the factors and dimensions that affect different initiatives during this process.

Women Workers’ Initiatives in the Field of the Social and Solidarity as a Space for Transforming the Domestic Care System: Potential and Challenges in the Ibero-American Sphere

A just socio-ecological transition calls for a transformation of the care system that ensures the sustainability of human life. This process involves recognising and revaluing unpaid care work it also means improving working conditions in this sector, characterised by the overwhelming contribution of women, including many migrant women, in global care chains. This paper analyses the opportunities and limitations of the social and solidarity economy in this transformation. Using the multi-level perspective on change as a framework and a methodology that combines an innovative collaborative workshop with 54 stakeholders in the Spanish context with interviews with leaders of care cooperatives in Honduras, Uruguay and Spain, transformative strategies for revaluing these essential services and addressing the structural challenges they face are identified.

Nexus between Solidarity Economy, Cooperative and Digital Economy at the Local Level: The case of Malaysia

This study used Malaysian case as the empirical platform to articulate the issues of development at the local level mainly Desa Lestari (Sustainable Village) program of KPLB. The data were obtained mainly through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with government officials and communities. This paper highlights conceptually and practically how the Solidarity Economy, the Cooperative and Digitalization can be incorporated into a broader sustainability framework. This paper also demonstrates the potential and constraints in Desa Lestari program. This paper ends with an examination of possible plan of action for successful Desa Lestari program and local level development in general.

Beyond Dependency in Puerto Rico: Exploring Social and Solidarity Industrial Policy as an Alternative for the Global South

This article challenges the mainstream economic argument that attributes Puerto Rico’s economic struggles to overly generous federal welfare programs or an excessively high minimum wage. It traces the root of the island’s structural economic issues to its mid-twentieth-century dependent growth strategy, pre-dating these commonly cited factors. Examining the role of Puerto Rican elites, the article argues that their vested interests in the current model could undermine a suitable industrial policy program. The article posits that the island’s vibrant worker cooperative movement and Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) offer a more promising foundation for an effective industrial policy agenda. Finally, it introduces the concept of Social and Solidarity Industrial Policy as a framework for sustainable development in Puerto Rico and potentially other Global South economies, leveraging democratic state firms, worker cooperatives, and other SSE initiatives. JEL Classification: B50, L52, O54

Solidarity Economy Enterprises in the Mucuri Valley: Profile of Enterprises That Closed Their Activities and Those That Remain Active

Objective: The objective of this study is to characterize the solidarity economy enterprises located in Vale do Mucuri/MG, also verifying whether there is a difference in the profile of the enterprises that have closed their activities and those that remain active. Method: Secondary data from the Solidarity Economy mapping carried out by SENAES was used. A descriptive analysis of the characteristics of enterprises that are no longer in operation in the region was carried out, using graphs and tables, and the descriptive analysis, factor analysis and cluster analysis were renewed in relation to enterprises that started in operation. Results and Discussion: In the case of enterprises that have ceased their activities, it is clear that the profile of most of the questions is repeated in comparison with active EES. In the factor analysis, it was observed the creation of 4 indexes, which can be useful in the classification and evaluation of enterprises: enterprise management index, index of challenges to overcome, index of efficiency in the use of financial credits and labor index not associated. The cluster analysis identified 4 clusters, however only one concentrated almost 90% of the active enterprises in the Mucuri Valley. This demonstrates the homogeneity of the characteristics of the EES, making it difficult to identify groups with different characteristics. Research Implications: The data presented may point to different possibilities for intervention through specific support and promotion programs for enterprises based on knowledge of their characteristics. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by focusing on the characterization of the solidarity economy in the Mucuri Valley and the application of quantitative methods.

Relationship between Sustainable Development, Economy and Poverty

Throughout this document, the opportunity is provided to show the relationship between sustainable development and economic growth, focusing on their definitions, their disparity, and their consequences, at the same time it gives us a vision of the evolution of the importance of economic development and of their inability to solve the problem of poverty. The satisfaction of the needs of the human being, would go through seeking a balance between economic growth, care for the environment, and social welfare, a breakdown of this balance has put into question the traditional model of economic development, in which they raise fundamental questions where the very accumulation of wealth creates poverty. The bibliographic search carried out has led us to obtain a series of conclusions on the proposed terms, in which a robust social solidarity economy would lead us to the eradication of poverty. This work takes us to a reflection on the sustainability of natural resources, the viability of the economic development model, and its rate of growth in a context of globalization in which localities are left behind, but without being forgotten, although they have no involvement in models that meet their development needs.