Understanding the Social Economy

Suitable for courses addressing community economic development, co-operatives, and non-profit organizations, the second edition of Understanding the Social Economy expands upon the authors' ground-breaking examination of organizations founded upon a social mission - social enterprises, non-profits, co-operatives, credit unions, and community development associations. The second edition examines the immense impact that digital communication and relationships have had on the social economy and civil society, and includes new examples that reflect technology's impact on the social economy: the impact of ICT in the delivery of public sector non-profit service, digital micro-finance and crowd funding, and e-governance initiatives linking municipalities and the citizenry. The second edition contains six new case studies as well two new chapters addressing leadership and strategic management and human resource management. A much-needed work on an important but neglected facet of business studies, Understanding the Social Economy continues to be an invaluable resource for the classroom and for participants working in the social sector.