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Rural social enterprises in Europe: A systematic literature review

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  • Mara Willemijn van Twuijver

    (University College Cork, Ireland; Ballyhoura Development CLG, Ireland)

  • Lucas Olmedo
  • Mary O’Shaughnessy
  • Thia Hennessy

    (University College Cork, Ireland)

Abstract

There is a growing perception that social enterprises represent a significant solution to the range of contemporary challenges facing rural areas across Europe. However, while much of the existing studies of European rural social enterprises provide a rich insight into specific case studies, as of yet, there is no comprehensive review of the breadth of research currently published on rural social enterprises in Europe. We respond to this gap by providing a systematic literature review incorporating 66 studies of rural social enterprise in Europe. We highlight the range of research in this field and demonstrate how the organisations act as key actors in fulfilling needs of rural areas that are not met otherwise. This systematic literature review confirms that rural social enterprises are characterised by strong local involvement with an ability to combine different goals and resources. Based on this review, we suggest that the rural and local contexts, often combined with tailored external support, are important factors in enabling rural social enterprises. This review also indicates that the academic field is relatively young and rapidly growing, leaving room for new lines of potential research to improve our understanding of these enterprises and their contribution to the development of rural places.

Suggested Citation

  • Mara Willemijn van Twuijver & Lucas Olmedo & Mary O’Shaughnessy & Thia Hennessy, 2020. "Rural social enterprises in Europe: A systematic literature review," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 35(2), pages 121-142, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:loceco:v:35:y:2020:i:2:p:121-142
    DOI: 10.1177/0269094220907024
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    1. Federica Scaffidi, 2022. "Regional Implications of the Circular Economy and Food Greentech Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-19, July.
    2. Luca Fazzi & Susanne Elsen, 2020. "Actors in Social Agriculture Cooperatives Combating Organized Crime in Southern Italy: Cultivating the Ground," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-11, November.
    3. Kovanen Sunna, 2020. "Collaborative Patterns of Long-Term Sustainability in Community Social Enterprises: An International Comparative Case Study," Quaestiones Geographicae, Sciendo, vol. 39(4), pages 53-63, December.
    4. Baxter, Jamie Scott & Chatzichristos, Georgios & Christmann, Gabriela & Hennebry, Barraí & Kovanen, Sunna & Novikova, Marina & Olmedo, Lucas & Stoustrup, Sune W. & van Twuijver, Mara & Umantseva, Anna, 2020. "Social Enterprises in Structurally Weak Rural Regions: Innovative Troubleshooters in Action. Handbook for Practitioners," IRS Dialog 6/2020, Leibniz Institute for Research on Society and Space (IRS).

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