In Search of... Exploration of the boundaries, scope and definitions of the social economy: a discussion paper. Working Paper # 2009-4

This working paper presents an extensive, albeit not exhaustive, review of available literature has been made to support the policy scan and research to consider definitions of ‘social economy’, ‘social enterprise’ and ‘social economy enterprise’,‘social capital’and ‘public policy’. In this discussion paper, the definitions provided by a number of authors and organisations are examined. While not providing an overall agreed definition,they do help to provide key characteristics (and to some extent boundaries) of the concept. From this review, an outline of primary and supporting characteristics is suggested to provide a starting point for further dialogue on what the ‘social economy’ looks like in Atlantic Canada.