SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AS AN OPPORTUNITY OF SOCIAL INCLUSION: THE CASE OF RECYCLING COOPERATIVES

Abstract

Study objective: illustrate how the social entrepreneurship can foster the social inclusion from a recycling cooperative located in the region of Vale dos Sinos/RS.

Methodology/approach: case study with qualitative approach from the access of multiple data sources, such as: participant observation, reports of professors and scholars that are integrated part of the extension project that assists the cooperative, semi structured interviews and secondary data.

Originality/relevance: social entrepreneurship is configurated as a new perspective, mainly in the field of management and social intervention, since the social problems are now viewed as opportunities and not barriers. From that point of view, several entities were created, among them, the recycling cooperatives, which have the sustainability as its focus and social, economic and environmental tripod. In face of that, the originality of this research is based on the relation between the social entrepreneurship and the social inclusion from the activities of a recycling cooperative.

Main results: it was possible to highlight the relation between the social entrepreneurship and the social inclusion, since the cooperative analyzed, seen as a social enterprise, presents characteristics that bring social, economic and environmental benefits for the cooperated individuals and for the community involved.

Contributions: from the theoretical discussion, associated to the empirical research, the main contributions are connected to a greater understanding about how the management of a recycling cooperative is performed and how this kind of social entrepreneurship may contribute for the social inclusion.

Conclusions: several factors that indicate the social inclusion were identified, such as: (re)insertion on the job market; increase of the quality of life; decrease of the social vulnerability; elevation of the level of professional qualification; and income increase. The case clearly shows the need of the cooperated individuals to act more independently in relation to the City Hall, which may be fostered by the implementation of partnerships with the formation of networks among the cooperatives, for instance. Partnerships with Universities and other education centers must also be fostered for the performance of activities that aim the development of leaderships.