This article analyzes the social economy (SE) as a third major sector between the public economy and the capitalist private economy. It examines the SE concept, compares it with the nonprofit sector and analyzes its microeconomic foundations, functions in the economic system and implications for economic policy. The field of economic analysis needs to be broadened, abandoning the mainstream monism that emphasizes the study of capitalist private enterprises and taking a plural view of the economy. In this approach, other forms of business organization, particularly SE enterprises, become a priority for analysis, opening up new scientific, social and economic vistas.
**: In recent years a new context has emerged in Europe characterized by a larger growing Europe, the creation of a new European platform for social economy named ‘Social Economy Europe’ and an improvement in research, networks and initiatives in this area from certain European Institutions such as the European Social and Economic Committee. This paper focuses on recurrent, but needing clarification, topics such as the question of definitions, the national recognition of the concept of Social Economy and the size of this European third sector. It begins with a proposition of a conceptual delimitation of the Social Economy and of the different classes of company and organization that belong to it. Second, it identifies the different agents which, irrespective of their legal form, are part of the Social Economy in each of the member states of the European Union and to compare the different national definitions that are related to the Social Economy concept. Finally, it provides quantitative data on the European Social Economy.
The general objective of the Report is to study the recent evolution of the social economy in the European Union. It focuses on three areas: firstly, the social economy and the emergent concepts/movements related to it, secondly, the public policies adopted in both the EU and the member states in recent years to enhance the social economy sector and thirdly, measuring the weight of the social economy in each EU member country. This Report shows that the European social economy provides over 13.6 million paid jobs in Europe, accounting for 6.3% of the total EU working population of the EU-28. Despite its size, the social economy remains invisible in the national accounts and statistics around Europe, a hurdle that constitutes another major challenge, although efforts have been made during the last two decades. The new concepts and approaches related to the social economy that have emerged in Europe, such as social enterprises, social innovation, collaborative economy, economy of the common good, circular economy and corporate social responsibility, have been analysed and the main public policies for the social economy that have been implemented in recent years have been studied. Special mention has been made of the Social Business Initiative (SBI) introduced by the European Commission.
International research on the social economy has undergone three important changes over the last five years. Firstly, the socioeconomic reality subject of this research has suffered a profound transformation as a result of the impact and the prolongation of the crisis and the expectations created in relation to the role of the social economy. Secondly, the topics under scrutiny by the scientific community have changed gradually over these years adapting to the macro and micromutations being studied. Thirdly, we have witnessed what may be considered the definitive consolidation and institutionalization of research into the social economy and its scientific community. This latter is confirmed by the prolific and diversified scientific output, the recognition of the specialized scientific journals, the solidity of the international networks of researchers and research centres and specialist training, as well as by the existence of periodic international scientific conferences.
L'objectif du rapport est d'étudier l'évolution récente de l'économie sociale dans l'Union européenne. Il se concentre sur trois domaines: d'une part, l'économie sociale et les concepts / mouvements émergents qui s'y rapportent, deuxièmement, les politiques publiques adoptées au sein de l'UE et des États membres ces dernières années visant à améliorer le secteur de l'économie sociale et, troisièmement, mesurer le poids de l'économie sociale dans chaque pays membre de l'UE. Ce rapport montre que l'économie sociale européenne fournit plus de 13,6 millions d'emplois rémunérés en Europe, représentant 6,3% de la population active totale de l'UE-28 de l'UE. Malgré sa taille, l'économie sociale reste invisible dans les comptes nationaux et les statistiques en Europe, un obstacle qui constitue un autre défi majeur, bien que des efforts aient été réalisés au cours des deux dernières décennies. Les nouveaux concepts et approches liés à l'économie sociale qui ont émergé en Europe, comme les entreprises sociales, l'innovation sociale, l'économie collaborative, l'économie du bien commun, l'économie circulaire et la responsabilité sociale des entreprises, ont été analysés et les principales politiques publiques pour l'économie sociale mises en œuvre ces dernières années ont été étudiées. Une mention spéciale a été faite dans le cadre de l'initiative sur les entreprises sociales (SBI) introduite par la Commission européenne.
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