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Community-Based Cooperatives: A New Business Model for the Development of Italian Inner Areas

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  • Luigi Mastronardi

    (Department of Economics, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy)

  • Luca Romagnoli

    (Department of Economics, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy)

Abstract

Italian municipalities distant from main service supply hubs are defined by the Development Ministry as “inner areas”. A new business model, called community-based cooperatives, has recently developed in these areas. The name itself highlights the strong link between these firms and the local population. Their essential features are the pursuit of general interest and the creation of partnerships. This research explores the potential contribution of these enterprises to the growth of Italian inner areas. The data come from a direct survey, and the methodology includes text analysis techniques and correspondence analysis to create useful concept maps that define the paths that community-based cooperatives can take to regenerate their territories. The results highlight the critical issues of inner areas and the needs of their communities, together with the potential fields of business for the establishment of a community-based cooperative. In conclusion, these new firms may lead to real and enduring benefits to local communities. They could also contribute to demographic decline inversion by introducing new practices that reduce inequalities, enhance social, natural, and artificial capital, and boost the sustainable development process.

Suggested Citation

  • Luigi Mastronardi & Luca Romagnoli, 2020. "Community-Based Cooperatives: A New Business Model for the Development of Italian Inner Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:5:p:2082-:d:329958
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    2. Saeed Nosratabadi & Nesrine Khazami & Marwa Ben Abdallah & Zoltan Lackner & Shahab S. Band & Amir Mosavi & Csaba Mako, 2020. "Social Capital Contributions to Food Security: A Comprehensive Literature Review," Papers 2012.03606, arXiv.org.
    3. Denise Díaz de León & Omar Díaz Fragoso & Igor Rivera & Gibrán Rivera, 2021. "Cooperatives of Mexico: Their Social Benefits and Their Contribution to Meeting the Sustainable Development Goals," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-19, April.
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    5. Mastronardi, Luigi & Giannelli, Agostino & Romagnoli, Luca, 2021. "Detecting the land use of ancient transhumance routes (Tratturi) and their potential for Italian inner areas’ growth," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    6. Christian Rainero & Giuseppe Modarelli, 2020. "The Attractive Power of Rural Destinations and a Synergistic Community Cooperative Approach: A “Tourismability” Case," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-41, September.
    7. Calderini, Mario & Fia, Magali & Gerli, Francesco, 2023. "Organizing for transformative innovation policies: The role of social enterprises. Theoretical insights and evidence from Italy," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(7).
    8. Donato Morea & Elisa Gebennini & Andrea Mazzitelli & Maria Simona Andreano & Gianpaolo Basile & Gandolfo Dominici, 2021. "New Challenges for Sustainable Organizations in Light of Agenda 2030 for Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-3, February.
    9. Luca Storti & Giulia Urso & Neil Reid, 2023. "Exiting the periphery: Possible pathways towards a socio‐economic and institutional de‐marginalization of places," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 15(7), pages 1406-1423, September.
    10. Mastronardi, Luigi & Giagnacovo, Maria & Romagnoli, Luca, 2020. "Bridging regional gaps: Community-based cooperatives as a tool for Italian inner areas resilience," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    11. Walter Perpétuo Ribas & Bruno Pedroso & Leandro Martinez Vargas & Claudia Tania Picinin & Miguel Archanjo de Freitas Júnior, 2022. "Cooperative Organization and Its Characteristics in Economic and Social Development (1995 to 2020)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-22, July.

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