Multidimensional value creation in the social and solidarity economy in Morocco

Abstract

Faced with the new challenges of development in terms of social equity, preserving the environment and revitalising territories, the capitalist model has clearly shown its limits, due to the relentless pursuit of profits, the impoverishment of a large part of the population and the depletion of the natural capital that must be preserved and passed on to future generations to give them fulfilment and well-being.

In this sense, the initiatives taken by social and solidarity-based economy organisations are in line with the objectives of sustainable territorial development and are primarily aimed at meeting a multitude of socio-economic needs that have been neglected by the State and by traditional businesses, which do not see the satisfaction of these needs as a major source of financial return to attract investment. The aim of this article is to answer the following research question: To what extent do social and solidarity economy organisations, and in particular cooperatives, contribute to the creation of multidimensional value likely to meet the new development challenges in Morocco?

We therefore opted for a multiple case study of ten cooperatives spread across most of the provinces and prefectures of the Fès-Meknès region, focusing mainly on semi-directive interviews, observation and documentary study.

After discussing the results of the study, it emerged that social and solidarity economy structures also create value, which is not just economic and financial, but rather multidimensional (economic, social, environmental, institutional, strategic, etc.). This multidimensional aspect of value creation by the SSE makes it possible to better satisfy needs neglected by the State and the market, to energise territories and thus to ensure the survival of SSE structures.

Keywords: Social and solidarity economy; value creation; multidimensional value; development; territory.

JEL Classification : A1

Paper type: Empirical research