Indicator Development for Measuring Social Solidarity Economy

This study seeks to develop a comprehensive instrument to evaluate and measure social and solidarity economy (SSE)-related activities. The instrument was designed to identify key dimensions of the SSE. The methodological process, in its initial stage, consisted of the development of an established operational definition and a conceptual framework for SSE, identifying the main characteristics from the existing literature. Subsequently, five dimensions were identified; these dimensions were further researched to identify sub-dimensions, which enabled the identification of key measurable indicators. Based on these findings, an instrument was created, incorporating quantitative and qualitative questions, which was tested and applied to a case study of SSE activity. Subsequently, the scores for each dimension were normalized and presented on a radar graph, allowing for a clear visual comparison across the SSE dimensions and highlighting the organization’s alignment with SSE principles. The results reveal the strengths and areas for improvement in the organization’s practices. This study contributes to the field of SSE by empirically testing an instrument tailored to SSE activities across diverse contexts. The research demonstrates the practical application of the instrument in a real-world setting, serving as a valuable tool for SSE-based organizations to assess their alignment with core SSE principles and values.