Chaire Junior

The Anthropocene marks an era where human activity fundamentally alters ecosystems, biodiversity, and climate, exacerbating socio-economic disparities. Organizations must urgently transform their models and practices to address the intertwined ecological, social, and economic challenges of this epoch. This research focuses on the role of Social and Solidarity Economy Organizations (SSEOs) as agents of social and environmental transition, exploring their potential to inspire systemic change and foster sustainable practices across sectors.

SSEOs are characterized by democratic governance and hybrid socio-economic models, they prioritize long-term sustainability, balancing economic activity with social missions, and they are potentially well positioned to address Anthropocene challenges. My project will analyze how SSEOs develop and implement innovative strategies, managerial tools, and participatory approaches to navigate environmental and social crises. By opening the “black box” of SSEOs, the research will examine how their practices foster resilience, inclusivity, and environmental stewardship. The literature also highlights that the Anthropocene requires multi-level, transnational, and multi-stakeholder collaborations to achieve meaningful progress. In this project SSEOs are studied as transition intermediaries, playing a pivotal role in building collaborative networks, such as meta-organizations, public-private partnerships, and cross-sector alliances. Through these networks, SSEOs could potentially amplify their impact, fostering solidarity and influencing other organizations' behaviors. This research will particularly focus on cooperative models, and how these models could scale SSEOs' actions and reshape broader organizational ecosystems. The research also focus on the instruments of transition employed by SSEOs, while exploring their potential to serve as models for other organizations in the marketplace.

The complexity of Anthropocene challenges demands an interdisciplinary lens. This research integrates management sciences, sociology, political science, anthropology, psychology, and environmental studies. Collaboration with urban planners, ecologists, designers, and geographers will enhance the development of practical, systemic solutions.

The project will combine qualitative and quantitative methods, including comparative case studies in France, Italy, and Belgium. It will focus on two sectors. The Cultural and Creative Industries: These sectors foster community engagement and mindset shifts, promoting sustainable behaviors through cultural interventions. Secondly, the Nutrition and Food Systems, where Innovations such as solidarity canteens and ethical cooperatives address environmental and social contradictions while offering models for systemic transformation.

This research positions SSEOs as crucial actors in addressing Anthropocene challenges, offering scalable solutions and inspiring systemic change. By integrating theoretical insights and practical applications, the project aims to redefine organizational behavior and foster a collaborative, sustainable future.