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Sustainable but Not Spontaneous: Co-Operatives and the Solidarity Funds in Italy

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  • Andrea Bernardi

    (Business School, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK)

  • Cécile Berranger

    (Economics, Policy and International Business, Business School, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M15 6BH, UK)

  • Anita Mannella

    (Department of Economics, Università Roma Tre, 00145 Roma, Italy)

  • Salvatore Monni

    (Department of Economics, Università Roma Tre, 00145 Roma, Italy)

  • Alessio Realini

    (Department of Economics, Università Roma Tre, 00145 Roma, Italy)

Abstract

This paper aims to highlight the role of solidarity funds in the development and support of national co-operative movements. Those are financial institutions specialized in supporting the start-up and growth of co-operatives. By adopting a case study approach, our analysis shows that solidarity funds emerged globally with similar objectives. Our international comparison focuses on Italy but includes France, the United Kingdom and Québec as a specific Canadian province with a French institutional environment. Despite their crucial importance, there is limited available research on this subject. To this end, our paper has policy implications; we need to consider establishing such institutions in countries where co-operatives are lagging behind as traditional financial institutions are often unable to finance co-operatives because of their property rights regime.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Bernardi & Cécile Berranger & Anita Mannella & Salvatore Monni & Alessio Realini, 2022. "Sustainable but Not Spontaneous: Co-Operatives and the Solidarity Funds in Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:8:p:4516-:d:790884
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrea Bernardi & Andrea Cori & Mattia Granata & Keti Lelo & Salvatore Monni, 2022. "Rescuing firms in a co-operative way: worker buyouts in Italy," Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 10(1), pages 242-260, September.

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