Stream 11
The institutional and legal framework of the cooperative and social economy sector
Stream leads: Maryline Filippi (Bordeaux Sciences Agro - Bordeaux University), Claude-André Guillotte (IRECUS/Sherbrooke University and Research Network on Social and Solidarity Economy)
Description:
As the overall theme of the 2025 ICA conference puts forward, transformative changes are urgently required for more justice, equity, sustainable ecosystems and democratic organizations. This resonates with many recent calls formulated amid the manifold crises – ecological, social, economic, democratic – we experience.
In this research stream, we aim to contribute to the development of knowledge on the structures, processes, and dynamics that shape the legal and institutional environment of Cooperatives and other Social and Solidarity Economy Organizations (SSEOs).
We invite researchers and practitioners to join us to:
Analyze the processes and challenges of institutionalization of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE):
What are the major trends (e.g., climate crisis, inequalities), challenges (e.g., debates on the notion of social utility), and perspectives (e.g., degrowth/post-growth) likely to bring about new changes in legal and institutional environments?
What are the social practices at the origin of the institutionalization of SSE in order to understand the functions of these legislations and the contributions of the SSE to the debate surrounding their development.
What functions the legislation specific to the SSE should play in the near future?
What are the contexts of emergence and the relationships between the actors involved in SSE systems, and how have they influenced the historical and current challenges of their institutionalization?
Map and study the relationships between the components that constitute the systems of emergence and development of SSEO (Social and Solidarity Economy Organizations):
What are the contours and interactions of the systems of SSE?
What are the challenges, obstacles, and levers related to the startup and development of SSEO, as well as possible improvements in terms of infrastructure and support measures?
Proposals should align with one or more of these three subthemes and can be submitted in English, French or Spanish. We will try to provide whispering translations during the conference. We are open to theoretical and empirical propositions and welcome research from diverse perspectives, from graduate students to experienced researchers as well as from practitioners.
References:
Bretos, I., Bouchard, M. J., & Zevi, A. (2020). Institutional and organizational trajectories in social economy enterprises: Resilience, transformation and regeneration. Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, 91(3), 351–358. https://doi.org/10.1111/apce.12279
Fontan, J., & Lévesque, B. (2023). "Chapter 56: The institutional ecosystem". In Encyclopedia of the Social and Solidarity Economy. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing. Retrieved Sep 10, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.4337/9781803920924.00071
Hiez, D. (2023). Legal frameworks and laws for the social and solidarity economy. In I. Yi [Ed.], Encyclopedia of the Social and Solidarity Economy (pp. 365-371). Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing.
OCDE (2023). Mapping social and solidarity economy ecosystems around the world: Understanding the country fact sheets.