Social Enterprises in the Social Cooperative Form

Abstract

AbstractDespite the many similarities, cooperatives cannot be considered directly as social enterprises because they do not meet all the requirements to be so. However, within this type of entity, a type of cooperative has emerged—the social cooperative. It adapts some of the attributes of the social enterprise while respecting cooperative principles, and is considered by many to be a type of social enterprise. This type of cooperative is increasing its presence by leaps and bounds worldwide, especially in Europe, where more than ten states have already adjusted their legislation to introduce them. However, the regulation of this type of cooperative has been carried out unevenly, using different names to refer to them and without a clear consensus on how they should be configured. This study analyzed the different legislations of the main countries that regulate this type of cooperative to establish some common characteristics that may allow the identification of the distinctive features of this type of cooperative.