The Italian Social Cooperatives in 2008
The Italian Social Cooperatives in 2008

Author: Chiara Carini

Publisher:

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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This paper describes the role of social cooperatives in Italy as a type of economic, nonprofit organization that is assuming an increasingly central role in the country, by contributing to its economic and social growth. In the last decade many agencies, institutions and research centres (Istat - National Statistic Office, Ministry of Economic Development, Confcooperative Legacoop, Unioncamere) have provided studies on the evolution of the cooperative movement in the Third Sector, in order to monitor the development of these organizations over time and to evaluate their economic and employment impact over the country. Following a similar path, this study analyzes the contribution of social cooperatives in Italy at a regional level, highlighting the differences related to their age and fields of activity. Moreover, the paper evaluates the efficiency and profitability of the social cooperative by conducting further analysis based on a number of economic and financial indexes.

Exploring the Performance of Social Cooperatives During the Economic Crisis
Exploring the Performance of Social Cooperatives During the Economic Crisis

Author: Chiara Carini

Publisher:

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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The current economic crisis has hit the Italian economic system hard (Bugamelli et al, 2009; Accetturo et al., 2011) and has once again highlighted the economic divide between the northern and southern regions of Italy (Banca d'Italia, 2012). Official statistics (Istat, 2012a; Istat, 2012b) outline a clear picture of the economic situation of Italian enterprises during the crisis, but nevertheless do not provide data on social cooperatives, which have thus far represented the most important type of social enterprise in Italy (Defourny and Nyssens, 2008; Euricse, 2011). Studies on the economic performance of social cooperatives are lacking due to their complexity and the impossibility of applying traditional frameworks, such as those related to for-profit organisations (Austin et al., 2006; Moore, 2000). In addition, longitudinal studies that aim at evaluating the ability of social cooperatives to survive over time are lacking. Starting from these premises, by developing a multiple factor analysis (MFA), this paper aims at deepening the understanding of the economic performance and the employment features of social cooperatives in 2008 (before the crisis) and 2011 (after the beginning of the crisis) in order to better understand how the employment and economic performances of such organisations have changed during the years of the economic crisis. Particular attention will be paid to the analysis of the differences between Italy's three main geographical areas. These objectives are achieved by carrying out an empirical study using data from the Italian social cooperatives contained in the data warehouse developed during a research project of Euricse. This is based on the Analisi Informatizzata delle Aziende (AIDA) database of the Bureau van Dijk, integrated with other administrative databases, and contains data for over 72,000 Italian cooperatives.

La Cooperazione in Italia
La Cooperazione in Italia

Author: Michele Andreaus

Publisher:

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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In Italy, social cooperatives are an economic reality that is constantly expanding and plays an increasing role in the national economy. Social cooperatives are economic organizations of small-to-medium size that are strongly integrated into the local environment where they happen to develop. Given the need to supply crucial services, including social, educational and work integration services, social cooperatives must interact with the local authorities and communities they serve. Over the years, a number of public bodies, institutions and organisations have investigated the evolutionary pattern of social cooperatives as a specific dynamic within the Third Sector, in order to monitor their development and to assess their economic impact as well as their capacity to generate new employment at the local level. Against this backdrop, our investigation analyses the contribution that social cooperatives make to local development, in order to provide evidence of their growing importance. This analysis is part of a much wider research project conducted by the research centre Euricse, through the development of an observatory focused on cooperatives. This research aims to analyse the role of social cooperatives from both a descriptive and an economic-financial perspective. More specifically, this investigation attempts to contribute to the literature through: i) a descriptive analysis of the main features of Italian social cooperatives that have been active since 2008; ii) a description of the territorial context in which they fit; iii) an analysis of balance sheet indicators that can play a role in measuring the profitability and weight of equity of such entities, through size, regional and sectorial differentiations; and iv) an in-depth investigation of the impact of the action of social cooperatives on both the employment and the economy of a given territory. From a methodological perspective, the analysis relies on a data warehouse that was created using the AIDA dataset, integrating additional datasets provided by representative organizations (federations) and public registers.

The Growth of Italian Cooperatives
The Growth of Italian Cooperatives

Author: Piero Ammirato

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2018-04-27

Total Pages: 228

ISBN-13: 1351657607

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The Italian Cooperative Sector is amongst the largest in the world comprising over 60,000 cooperatives from all sectors of the economy directly employing 1.3 million people. Cooperatives created close to 30 percent of new jobs in Italy between 2001 and 2011 demonstrating that democratic cooperative enterprises can successfully operate in a market economy combining economic success and social responsibility. These offer a viable alternative to profit maximising enterprises and an opportunity to create a more pluralist and democratic market economy. The Growth of Italian Cooperatives: Innovation, Resilience and Social Responsibility comprehensively explains how the Italian cooperative sector has managed to compete successfully in the global economy and to grow during the global financial crisis. This book will comprehensively explain how the Italian cooperative movement has managed to grow into a large successful network of cooperatives. It will examine the legislative framework and their unique business model that allows it to compete in the market as part of a network that includes central cooperative associations, financial and economic consortia, and financial companies. It will explore cooperative entrepreneurship through a discussion of the formation of cooperative groups, start-ups, worker-buyouts and the promotion of entirely new sectors such as the social services sector. Finally, The Growth of Italian Cooperatives examines how cooperatives have managed the GFC and how their behavior differs from private enterprises. It will also analyze the extent to which cooperatives compete while still uphold the key cooperative principles and fulfil their social responsibility. This book is an interdisciplinary study of cooperative development and is designed to inform members of the academic community, government, public policy makers and cooperative managers that are primarily interested in economic democracy, economics of the cooperative enterprise, cooperative networks and economic development, cooperative legislation, democratic governance, job creation programs, politics of inclusion and how wealth can be more equitably distributed.

Cooperation in Italy in 2008
Cooperation in Italy in 2008

Author: Carlo Borzaga

Publisher:

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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Despite a growing interest in cooperatives, the knowledge of real economic, occupational and social dimensions of the cooperative enterprises is still little and fragmentary, at both a national and an international level. This is also the case of Italy, a country with one of the most widespread cooperative system. Many Italian Institutes (e.g. Istat, Confcooperative, Legacoop and Unioncamere) have been studying cooperatives for a long time. The majority of their studies refer to specific contexts, to specific types of cooperative or to restricted samples. There is still a lack of updated analyses of the overall dimensions of this phenomenon, able to follow its evolution and quantify - with reasonable precision - the ability to manage business and create jobs. Starting from these preliminary remarks, the present study intends to offer a reliable analysis of the 2008 Italian cooperative system, by highlighting the economic and occupational dimensions and impact of the phenomenon. This analysis is only part of the widest research programme carried out by the European Research Institute on Cooperative and Social Enterprises which has developed an observatory on cooperation for a constant analysis of the role of cooperation in Italy. La versione italiana di questo documento è disponibile al seguente link: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2010032.

Understanding Social Enterprise
Understanding Social Enterprise

Author: Rory Ridley-Duff

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Published: 2011-02-09

Total Pages: 305

ISBN-13: 1848601999

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The first authoritative student textbook on the subject explores the issues of understanding the context and processes of Social Enterprise. In 12 comprehensive chapters the authors discuss and illustrate both theoretical and practical considerations for the field. Each chapter contains: a summary of key topics covered; illuminating and engaging international case studies to illustrate the themes covered and link them to practice; reflection boxes to enable students to critically consider their interpretation of issues raised; informative further reading; and links to online information about social enterprise projects. There is also an accompanying website with a full instructors’ manual, including PowerPoint slides and extra case studies, for lecturers and access to full-text journal articles and online exercises for students.

La Cooperazione in Italia Nel 2008 (Cooperation in Italy in 2008).
La Cooperazione in Italia Nel 2008 (Cooperation in Italy in 2008).

Author: Carlo Borzaga

Publisher:

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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Despite the growing interest in cooperative enterprise, our knowledge of the real economic, social, and employment size of the cooperative movement, both internationally and within individual countries, is scarce and fragmentary. In Italy over the years, a number of public bodies, institutions, and organisations (e.g., ISTAT, Confcooperative, Legacoop, and Unioncamere) have examined the nature of the cooperative movement. However, in most cases, these studies have referred to specific contexts, to particular types, or to limited samples of cooperative companies. In order to progress, first of all, we must quantify with reasonable accuracy the total size of the phenomenon and the ability of cooperatives to create wealth and employment. Secondly, we must monitor their evolution. At the moment, there are no analyses that can do this. In this light, this study aims to provide a framework for the analysis of cooperation in Italy in 2008, highlighting the economic and employment dimensions of the phenomenon. This is part of a wider research project led by the European Research Institute on Cooperative and Social Enterprises (EURICSE) that involves the development of an observatory on cooperation and aims to analyze the role of cooperation in Italy. The English version can be found at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2103545.

Social Purpose Enterprises
Social Purpose Enterprises

Author: Jack Quarter

Publisher: University of Toronto Press

Published: 2015-01-15

Total Pages: 324

ISBN-13: 1442663790

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Social Purpose Enterprises: Case Studies for Social Change presents case studies of twelve organizations that operate in a growing niche within the Canadian social economy: market-based entities supported by a nonprofit organization and operated for the benefit of a workforce who lives on the margins of society. Using a variety of research methods, the contributors examine the work of social purpose enterprises in a range of businesses including food services, child care, furniture, courier services, and microfinance. Combining the experience of academics and practitioners, each chapter analyses the economic, social, and policy implications of the case. Building on research published in Researching the Social Economy (2010) and Businesses with a Difference (2013), Social Purpose Enterprises provides a valuable resource for those involved in the growing push to encourage market-based solutions for those on the social margins.