Social Economy and Solidarity Economy: a bibliometric analysis and literature review

Abstract

Since the end of the 20th century, the social economy and the solidarity economy have represented an alternative economic model in constant evolution, aimed at generating profits with social impact criteria, addressing inequality, the democratization of resources, and the primacy of people over the capital. Due to the growing interest and relevance of the topic, this study aims to contribute to the knowledge of this area, based on an analysis and review of the literature registered in the WoS and Scopus databases between 2000 and 2020, using bibliometric methods and tools. The main approaches, schools, authors, journals, countries, and institutions in this field were identified from a scientific mapping. The most relevant documents were classified into three categories, classical, structural, and perspectives, represented through the metaphor of the tree of science. The main research fronts in the area, social entrepreneurship, community development and sustainability, and social economy in emerging countries, were determined. Finally, an agenda for future studies.