The New Social and Impact Economy: An International Perspective (Nonprofit and Civil Society Studies)

This edited volume discusses the development of the new social and impact economy in ten countries around the globe. The new social and impact economy is an attempt to conceptualize developments after the 2008 economic crisis, which emphasized the pifalls of the Neo-Liberal economic system. In the aftermath of the crisis, new organizational entities evolved, which combined social and business objectives as part of their mission. Using data gathered by two recent international research projects―the ICSEM project and the FAB-MOVE project―the book provides an initial portrait of the forces at play in the evolution of the new social and impact economy, linking those to the past crisis as well as to Covid19 and comparing the emergence of the phenomenon in a varied group of countries. The book begins with an overview of the classical definitions of social economy and proposes a comprehensive concept of new social and impact economy, its characteristics, and sources. Ten country chapters as well as a comparative chapter on international social economy organizations follow. The volume concludes with an overall analysis of the data from the country chapters, forming a typology of social economy traditions and linking it to recent Post Capitalism trends. Creating a conceptual framework to analyze the new phenomena in social economy, this volume is ideal for academics and practitioners in the fields of social economy; social, economic and welfare policies; social and business entrepreneurship in a comparative fashion; social and technological innovation as well as CSR specialists and practitioners. Foreword Information Text Contents About the Editors About the Authors Chapter 1: Introduction The Concept and Role of the Social Economy: Origins and History The Context and Evolution of the Social Economy on the Basis of Cooperatives The Nature of the Traditional Social Economy and Its Typical Organizations The Emergence of the New Social and Impact Economy Concluding Remarks Structure of the Book References Chapter 2: The Evolution of the Social and Impact Economy in Argentina Introduction The Concept of SE in Argentina The Emergence and Evolution of SE in Argentina The Argentinian Social Welfare System A Brief History of SE in Argentina The 2001–2002 Crisis and Its Impact on the SE Infrastructural or Umbrella Organizations for SE The New Social and Impact Economy in Argentina Tracing the Early Developments of the Local NS&IE The New Wave of Organizations with Social Purposes The Public Sector Promoting Local New Social and Impact Economy The Evolution of the Legal Framework for SE and NS&IE Organizations Conclusions References Chapter 3: The Restructuring of the Social Economy in Canada Introduction The Welfare State in Canada Explaining the Social Economy in Canada The Cooperative Model and the Social Economy Nonprofit and Charity Organizations and the Social Economy The Social Enterprise and the Social Economy The Social Economy in Quebec (Re) Structuring of the Social Economy in Canada Conclusion and Looking Forward References Chapter 4: The New Social Economy in Indonesia: Features, Recent Development and Challenges Introduction History of Social Economy in Indonesia Special Cases of Credit Union and Women Mutual Liability Credit Unions Legal Environment Welfare System New Social Economy Support for Victims Affected by the Impact of COVID-19 in Indonesia Conclusion References Chapter 5: The New Social Economy in Israel: From the Kibbutz Ideal to Social-Tech Entrepreneurship Introduction The Kibbutz Ideal and the Welfare State Quasi-Socialism and the Kibbutz Welfare State and Finance Collapse of the Kibbutz Ideal and Transformation of the Welfare State The Start-Up Nation and Growing Inequalities Neoliberalism and the Rise of the Start-Up Nation Inequality Leading to the 2011 Outburst and the Ensuing Creative Stage The Impact Investment Scene Concluding Remarks References Chapter 6: The New Social Economy in Poland: The Crisis-Led Innovation Introduction Main Definitions of Social Economy History of Social Economy Sector in Poland Legal Framework and Welfare System Context Size of Social Economy Sector Institutional and Financial Support for Social Economy Impact Investment and Socially Responsible Investing Market Social Economy 2.0? Social Economy in the Face of a COVID-19 Crisis Conclusion References Chapter 7: The Social and Solidarity Economy in France Faced with the Challenges of Social Entrepreneurship Institutionalization of the Social and Solidarity Economy The Structure of Social Entrepreneurship in France The 2008 Crisis, a Window of Political Opportunity for Social Entrepreneurship Between Institutionalization and Diversion: The Social and Solidarity Economy at the Crossroads Interviews References Chapter 8: Social Economy in Spain: Economic Crisis and Society Introduction National Context Historical Evolution of the Social Economy Concept in Spain Legal Forms in Spanish Social Economy The Welfare System and Its Link to the Social Economy New Social Economy in Spain Impact of the 2008 Crisis on Spanish Economy and Society New Forms of Social Economy Development of New Frameworks Combining Business with Social Orientations New Hybrid Funding Instruments Conclusions References Chapter 9: The Evolving Field of Social Economy in Italy: Continuity and Change Introduction The Italian Welfare System The Social Economy Puzzle Changing Legal Frameworks for Social Enterprises Impact of the Economic Crisis Opportunities and Challenges in Times of Troubles New-Generation Social Entrepreneurship: A Transitional Ground L’Arcolaio Società Cooperativa Sociale Conclusions References Chapter 10: The (New) Social Economy in Austria Introduction National Context of the Social Economy in Austria The Austrian Context: Size, National Welfare System, and Public Social Services System Country-Specific Forms and Development Paths Legal Framework The New Social Economy in Austria Existing Literature and Data Political Debate on Social Enterprise Typical Fields of Activities and Business Models Relations to Other Sectors Relationship between the Social Economy and the State Relationship Between SE and Civil Society/Nonprofits Relationship Between the Market and Social Enterprises Conclusion and Perspective References Chapter 11: The Evolution of the New Social Economy in Sweden Introduction The Prevalence of the Concept in Public and Academic Discourse National Context The Social Economy Responds to New Crises New Hybrid Funding Instruments Conclusions References Chapter 12: International Social Economy Organizations Introduction Cross-Border Scaling Strategies in SEOs Control-Based International Scaling Strategies Altruism-Based International Scaling Strategies Hybrid International Scaling Strategies Challenges for International SEOs in Preserving and Extending Socially Oriented Practices and Values in International SEOs Challenges Associated to Control-Based Strategies Challenges Associated with Altruism-Based Strategies Challenges Associated with Hybrid Strategies Innovations in International SEOs for Balancing Social and Financial Performance Aravind Eye Care System Mondragon Cooperative Corporation Up Group Arla Foods Rabobank Conclusions References Chapter 13: Towards a ‘Wellbeing Economy’: What Can We Learn from Social Enterprise? Introduction What Is a Wellbeing Economy? How Do Social Enterprises Impact Wellbeing? Challenges to Building a Wellbeing Economy Practical Challenges Conceptual Challenges Methodological Challenges Conclusion References Chapter 14: From Crises to a Social and Impact Economy The Emerging Field of New Social Economy New Social Economy and the Three Crises Combined The Effect of the COVID-19 Crisis on the Social and Impact Economy in Different Countries Conclusions: With the Next Crisis in Sight References Index