Research projects and grants

The number of social economy enterprises (SEEs) in Quebec is increasing, leading to a growing need to learn more about their management and development. The term “social economy” has been frequently used in Quebec since the mid-1990s (Institut de la statistique du Québec, 2019). However, associations, mutuals, and cooperatives have always colored the economic and social landscape of Quebec. The social economy is based on the realization of an innovative idea of entrepreneurship and production to meet the needs of populations (Pecqueur, 2016).

For many years, SEEs in Quebec were concentrated in specific sectors such as agriculture and banking. However, the social economy is gaining popularity, and various types of enterprises are multiplying, resulting in new realities and organizational models (Bull, 2018; Defourny & Nyssens, 2019; Pek, 2023). The context in which these enterprises operate is important and needs to be studied and taken into account. The social economy sector is not static but rather dynamic and constantly evolving.

SEEs differ from the classical model of private enterprises. Although increasingly present in various global economies, these organizations are still relatively new, making questions of legitimacy crucial. In this regard, Wang and Zhou (2021) emphasize the importance of the legitimacy of these enterprises from their inception to maximize their performance. The legitimacy of businesses comes from sound practices, structures, and procedures (Di Maggio & Powell, 1983). This reinforces the importance of understanding the needs of these enterprises to promote effective management and optimal support for their members.

Ko (2012) reports that to be legitimate, entrepreneurs within SEEs must improve their management skills, operations, and governance structure. In his study, Ko (2012) demonstrated that if a social economy enterprise exhibited significant management flaws, it cast a shadow over the entire sector. Indeed, a negative experience for a stakeholder collaborating with a social economy enterprise can be detrimental to the entire sector. It is therefore even more crucial for these enterprises to have good management and support practices.

SEEs are important in Quebec and its various regions. These enterprises evolve, as does the context in which they operate. Faced with these changes, we believe it is essential to examine the needs of SEEs. Our research objective is to identify and understand the needs of SEEs in Outaouais and Laurentides to facilitate the support of their members.