Performance of work integration social enterprises in Croatia, Slovenia, and Italian regions of Lombardy and Trentino

Abstract

This paper analyses objective and subjective social and economic performance of Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) in Croatia, Slovenia, and Italian regions of Lombardy and Trentino. More specifically, the main aim is to test: a) the consistency between subjective and objective performance of WISEs and b) the compatibility between their economic and social performance. The rationale of the study is based on the fact that WISEs are commonly labelled as significant socioeconomic actors in Europe that often face various performance-related, i.e. managerial staff shortages. To the best of our knowledge, none of the previous studies have investigated this subject among WISEs in the analysed area. The data was collected using an online administered questionnaire between October 2017 and February 2018. The final sample included 109 organizations (23 organizations from Croatia, 36 from Slovenia, 39 from Lombardy, and 11 from Trentino). Each organization was represented by one highly ranked executive. The objective economic performance indicator was the profit-loss ratio; the objective social performance indicator was the share of disadvantaged population employed at a WISE. The subjective social and economic performance was measured using 18 indicators, and the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that this type of performance should be regarded as a unidimensional concept. The correlation analysis revealed a positive relationship between objective social performance and subjective socioeconomic performance, which indicates that the applied indicators of subjective socioeconomic performance are also relevant as potential predictors of objective social performance and demonstrates that representatives of WISEs tend to be realistic when evaluating their subjective socioeconomic performance.

Building Sustainable Rural Communities through Indigenous Social Enterprises: A Humanistic Approach

“…The cases suggest two additional strategies: work stability and benefits additional to those by law. In this sense, previous studies confirm that social enterprises that focus on work integration effectively reduce limitations in work opportunities [76]. Other studies suggest that these benefits, such as interest-free loans, help to promote the entrepreneurial spirit that often characterizes indigenous communities since they are usually located in remote areas with difficult access and limited job opportunities [73].…”

Effort expectancy and social influence factors as main determinants of performance expectancy using electronic banking

“…Considering the expected efforts, Pakurár et al (2019) proved that training and developing employees to solve current problems and motivating talented employees to innovate can be an essential driver in increasing performance. The same effect can be achieved by correct usage of benefits and compensation practices (Bilan et al, 2020b) and socioeconomic support of employees (Majetić et al, 2019), which, in turn, are perceived by workers as an essential incentive for performance growth even in emerging markets with labor-deficient conjuncture regarding high-skilled employees (Bilan et al, 2020a). According to Al-Qeisi et al (2014), performance expectation can also affect the expected effort or ease with which users believe they can conduct internet banking operations.…”

Social networks in the non-profit sector: Social support practices

“…The importance of social networks in the non-profit sector has become increasingly relevant in the current world. Therefore, cohesion and solidarity have emerged by different actors (individual or collective) in the social economy (Donati, 2011 ; Majetic et al 2019 ). In this context, the present research aims to analyze the suitability of social support practices within a social network of users.…”