Complexity and social capital in solidarity economy: an empirical evidence of enterprises in Brazil

Abstract

Solidarity economy is a social construction based on a social movement. This paper investigates the relationship between the principles of complexity and the generation of social capital in the solidarity economy enterprises and how network strategy affects this relationship. The data were collected through a national survey of 11,138 enterprises in Brazil and analysed statistically by a multiple linear regression analysis. Findings reveal a positive and significant relation between the principles of complexity and the generation of social capital. The principle of self-management has a particular effect on social capital under the influence of networks leading the enterprises to empowerment and local development. Regarding the principles of cooperation and autonomy, they contribute more to the generation of social capital without the influence of networking. This could be explained according to a critical comprehension of some authors, who reflect that, as they become bigger, enterprise lose cooperation and autonomy. Despite that, there is a generation of social capital by self-management principle.