Italian Community Co-Operatives Responding to Economic Crisis and State Withdrawal a New Model for Socio-Economic Development

Bianchi, Michele; Vieta, Marcelo

doi:10.2139/ssrn.3410314

Cited by 12 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Generally, these enterprises consist of small organizations, which operate in small areas. They are the result of projects in which collaboration between local residents and public authorities is realized in order to promote renovation or regeneration of public assets, buildings, and spaces in an urban or rural context [3].…”

Section: Cbes As Tools Of Cross-sector Collaborationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Even Western countries are affected by this phenomenon; especially, some rural areas are facing the challenge of offering a high-level life standard to their residents in the attempt to fight depopulation and marginalization [2]. Moreover, the last economic crisis has reduced the share of public expenditure that can be allocated for these issues [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Looking for New Paths to Realize Cross-Sector Collaboration for Urban Regeneration: The Case of Castel del Giudice (Italy)

Bartocci

Picciaia

2019

Sustainability

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New processes of urbanization have recently led to a concentration of inhabitants in big cities and a consequent depopulation of marginal areas. In Italy, this phenomenon has also affected mountain regions, which are still facing dramatic depopulation and economic depression. The incapacity of public administrations to remedy this public problem has recently led to the introduction of new forms of collaborations with actors belonging to diverse jurisdictional areas (governmental institutions, private companies, no-profit organizations, and local communities). These forms of partnership can be defined as cross sector collaborations and, in the case of community involvement, can also be arranged as community-based enterprises (CBEs). In this paper, we investigate the capacity of CBEs to be an effective instrument for cross-sector collaboration in the field of urban regeneration. In particular, by applying a specific analysis model inspired by the framework elaborated by Bryson, Crosby, and Stone (2015), we analyze an Italian experience of community engagement promoted in Castel Del Giudice, a small town in the Southern Apennines. Through document analysis and an interview method, the paper gives a twofold contribution to the field. Firstly, it provides a rigorous exploration of the preconditions, processes, structures, and results of a successful case of cross-sector collaboration. Secondly, it offers elements to assess potentiality and points of criticisms of CBEs to promote urban regeneration policies. In this sense, we conclude that the creation of a community-based network represents a second level of cross sector-collaboration that can potentiate the capacity to pursue the community interest.

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Section: Cbes As Tools Of Cross-sector Collaborationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Looking for New Paths to Realize Cross-Sector Collaboration for Urban Regeneration: The Case of Castel del Giudice (Italy)

Bartocci

Picciaia

2019

Sustainability

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“…A co-operative's assets can become key direct and indirect resources for local development when co-operators bring solidarity and mutual values into the firm (Bianchi, 2019). At the same time, the social values embedded in co-ops prime them as businesses ready-made for environmental sustainability and social inclusivity, enhancing their contributions to both civil society and to more socially and ecologically sensitive economic activity (Bianchi and Vieta, 2019).…”

Section: Reconsidering Social Capital For Theorizing the Co-operative–territory Relationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The past two decades have seen growing research interest in the link between co-operatives and community. Theoretical and empirical analyses have focused on various interrelated issues concerning co-ops and communities, including management, governance and membership (Fulton and Ketilson, 1992; Lang and Roessl, 2011; Tak, 2017); social welfare (Campbell and Sacchetti, 2014; Thomas, 2004; Walzer and Merret, 2001); rural or local economic development (Bianchi and Vieta, 2019; Borzaga and Santuari, 2001; Euricse, 2015; Majee and Hoyt, 2011; Novkovic and Golja, 2015; Rakopoulos, 2014; Stofferahn, 2009; Vieta, 2010, 2014, 2019, 2020; Vieta and Lionais, 2015; Zeuli et al , 2004; Zeuli and Radel, 2005); housing (Morris, 2014); local energy provision (Bauwens and Defourny, 2017; Mori, 2017; Tarhan, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Co-operatives, territories and social capital: reconsidering a theoretical framework

Bianchi

Vieta

2020

IJSE

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PurposeThis paper promotes a critical approach to co-operative studies by contributing new theoretical insights. The aim is to propose a new view on the co-operative firm as a socioeconomic phenomenon embedded into the local contexts in which it is situated. Sociological and economic analyses have mainly explored the relationship between co-operative members and the organization, the economic performance of co-operatives or compared co-operatives with other firm types. Less attention has been given to the co-operative–territory relation, which can reveal insights into members' collective actions, a co-operative's origins from specific social groups or how they establish relationships with certain community stakeholders over others.Design/methodology/approachThe paper begins with a literature review of academic studies that situate co-operatives in relation to community, with a focus on how social capital theory has been deployed to understand this relation. It then proposes a theoretical examination of two fundamental authors in the field of social capital theory: Robert Putnam and Pierre Bourdieu. Drawing on findings from the literature review and considerations derived from the theoretical dialog between Putnam and Bourdieu, the paper proposes a revised social capital-based framework for analyzing key relations and expected outcomes of the co-operative–territory relation.FindingsReconsidering the role of social capital theory for co-operative studies, this article unfolds a dual reflection. First, it underlines the necessity for research that more closely considers co-operatives' territorial relationships. Second, it critically interrogates and pushes forward social capital theory as a framework for examining the social relations that embed co-operatives and their capacity to activate territorial economies.Originality/valueThe paper highlights the necessity for a further examination of the co-operative–territory relationship. It presents an innovative framework for improving sociological understanding of co-operatives as organizations embedded into their local socioeconomic contexts.

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“…This means more than just inviting someone along in a tokenistic manner to a meeting, but instead involving them in a process that enables "personal empowerment, collective identity building and knowledge of rights, and support interest in and capabilities for political engagement" (López-Franco et al 2017). Examples of this type of power sharing and empowerment can be seen through partnerships that encourage shared ownership such as local cooperatives developing sustainable energy sources for local communities and include local control over assets and community participation in decision-making (Bianchi and Vieta 2019). For innovators who are accustomed to fast-paced technological change and have not previously had to consider the ethical, societal, or ecological impact of their innovation, this approach to bring along others and to be open to a shift in focus could be challenging, however if new innovations and knowledge are to be accessible for all and exclude no one, this approach is vital.…”

Section: Recognizing and Balancing Power Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Partnerships and Innovations Relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals

Collier

2020

Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals

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Italian Community Co-Operatives Responding to Economic Crisis and State Withdrawal a New Model for Socio-Economic Development

Cited by 12 publications

References 14 publications

Looking for New Paths to Realize Cross-Sector Collaboration for Urban Regeneration: The Case of Castel del Giudice (Italy)

Looking for New Paths to Realize Cross-Sector Collaboration for Urban Regeneration: The Case of Castel del Giudice (Italy)

Co-operatives, territories and social capital: reconsidering a theoretical framework

Partnerships and Innovations Relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals

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