Introduction

Social Cooperative Model Choices in the Socially Unsustainable Environment: Evidence from Lithuania

“…The social cooperative model differs from traditional cooperatives and mutual aid associations in that it serves not only the interests of its members but also the interests of the community as a whole or a specific group, as well as social objectives [5]. Social cooperatives, like other social economy organisations, respond to the social needs of society (services are provided to non-members) and seek to achieve social impact through a specific business model [15].…”

“…Mutual interests to solve social problems, help target groups, gain profits, and gain other benefits unite social cooperative members. J. Defourny and M. Nyssens, two of the most prominent researchers in the European non-profit sector, have classified social enterprise models according to the three interests (mutual, capital, and general/social) and the resource nature (market-dominated, hybrid, and non-market-dominated) [5,22].…”

“…Thus, the model of social cooperatives is built on two foundations: the business/capital market (profit-seeking and profit-sharing) and non-financial objectives (working with a target group, solving social problems, etc.) and the support they receive [5]. In general, the social cooperative model is distinguished by balancing members (self-interest) and general society's (a shared social mission is critical) interests with those of the target groups (usually by providing social services to the target groups).…”

“…Scientific and expert-created discourses cover varying topics, including the regulation of social cooperatives and supervision activities. Initially, scholars and public policy analysts seek to define the concepts of social entrepreneurship and link them to business models (legal forms, organisational models) and business practices [5]. They also seek to understand why and how cooperative forms of social business organisations have become established and achieved dominance in different countries.…”

“…(3) the involvement of social workers and care professionals in the provision of services; (4) the possible areas of activity of social cooperatives; (5) the advantages of the social cooperative model in terms of combining the interests of the members' businesses with the social mission; and (6) the supervision of the social business in terms of the delegation of the delivery of public services to the cooperatives or providing them financial support.…”