La economía social y cooperativa como modelo de gestión sostenible y del bien común

Abstract

Social and Cooperative Economy organizations follow a proximity management model based on the direct participation of their workers and their clients in decision-making. So, they can be understood as socially responsible companies working under principles and values very similar to those of the Corporate Sustainability and Economy for the Common Good models. Traditionally these businesses have been organizations focused on Social Responsibility for their own purposes. Currently, they face the challenge of adapting their management model to that of Corporate Sustainability in order to incorporate their social purposes into their core business strategy, thus guaranteeing their effectiveness and improving their efficiency. This study aims to conduct a comparative theoretical analysis between these models to determine their similarities and differences, thus setting the path toward sustainability. To do so, the authors performed a methodology based on the qualitative content analysis, consisting of a review of the research literature through which the existing theoretical framework is evaluated and synthesized from the works published by researchers, academics, and professionals on the relationship between the terms Social and Cooperative Economy, Corporate Sustainability and Economy for the Common Good. The results show great similarities in the principles and values that govern the operation of the management model of the Social and Cooperative Economy in comparison with Sustainability Corporate and the Economy for the Common Good models. There is also an important gap in the literature regarding the study of the relationship between the Social and Cooperative Economy and Corporate Sustainability, which demonstrates the need to abound in this type of study.