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Do social cooperatives stimulate social change? An investigation on Italian firms based on DEA-Malmquist approach

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  • Calabrese, Giuseppe Giulio
  • Falavigna, Greta

Abstract

The cooperative system and especially social cooperatives are increasingly regarded as a fundamental tool in the transition from the welfare state to the welfare society. In Italy, different types of social cooperatives exist (i.e., Type A and Type B), and in particular, Type B social cooperatives have been recognized as playing a major role in active labour policies. Even if a portion of the literature still attributes a sort of entrepreneurial “adolescence” to social cooperatives, some argue that cooperatives have an anti-cyclical role. In the present paper, we discuss the role of Type B social cooperatives in social change and social innovation, suggesting their impact in labour market, productivity and national growth. In order to explore managerial gap compared to for-profit firms, we looked at three composite indicators of balance sheet items, commonly used in the analysis of for-profit companies (i.e., solvency, efficiency, and productivity) before the Covid-19 pandemic. Results suggest that differences exist and social change can be affected by policies for social cooperatives.

Suggested Citation

  • Calabrese, Giuseppe Giulio & Falavigna, Greta, 2024. "Do social cooperatives stimulate social change? An investigation on Italian firms based on DEA-Malmquist approach," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:199:y:2024:i:c:s0040162523007011
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2023.123016
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