The importance and impact of social science research in the development of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) in Greece. A sociology of knowledge, practice-oriented research approach to evaluate and increase the innovation potential of the SSE

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Hans-Georg Soeffner
• Subject Area: Empirical Social Research
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 544462611

The planned praxis-oriented project focuses on the thematic field of the social impact and innovation potential of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) and in particular on how these relate to a) decision-making processes, b) management models, c) the business activity and d) the social value creation (or social benefit). On the basis of a) research on patterns of sense-giving, perception and action, which structure the field of practice, but also b) of a compilation of an overall overview of innovation concepts and benefit orientations, a toolkit is to be developed, that will serve as a basis for our cooperation partner’s consulting and support activities with regard to innovation promotion and social impact enhancement. In cooperation with our Greek partner, the transfer project shall make practical recommendations for the organizational structure or reorganization with the purpose of increasing the social impact of the business model. The fields of activity to be investigated are: a) (public welfare) products and services (urban areas) b) products and services (suburban/rural areas), c) social inclusion and social services and d) education/environment/culture. Four selected case studies from these areas and business types will also examine the relationship between social innovation, social impact and organizational structure, in particular with regard to possible tensions between decision-making processes, management models, business activities and social value creation arising owing to the hybrid character of social entrepreneurship. The planned practice-oriented project aims to make social science knowledge and research findings available to SSE stakeholders. This will enable them to tap into innovation potential and increase the social impact of their social economy activities. Conversely, the results and practical experiences from the sociological field research and the ethnographic case studies are to be incorporated into the review und examination of concepts and assumptions about socio-economic action. In accordance with the sociology of knowledge research approach, the hybrid socio-economic patterns of action shall be related to the socio-spatial environment, the existing political, economic, legal framework conditions, the prevailing knowledge systems, cultural practices, mentalities and traditions. In this way, the planned project aims to address the problem the socio-cultural embeddedness of the SSE that is underexposed in the current research of social entrepreneurship. With this socio-cultural positioning, the project will uncover new scientific ap-proaches to the hybridity and innovative power of social economy.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Greece
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr. Klaus Dörre
• Cooperation Partners: Professor Dr. Konstantinos Kavoulakos; Professor Dr. Nikos Serdedakis