The Microeconomics of Wellbeing and Sustainability

Chapter 10

Not just for profit: civil enterprises and values-based organizations

Abstract

In this chapter we will analyze the forms of companies and organizations that are created for more complex reasons than simply the pursuit of profit. We will consider the so-called “non-for-profit” firms, which go beyond the traditional concept of non-profits or the Third Sector to move in the direction of the civil economy and the civil enterprise, which has its specific nature and logic. Finally, we will discuss the concept of a values-based organization (VBO) and consider its particular characteristics and potential.

Keywords

Third sector; Social economy; Voluntarism; Non-profit; Hierarchy; Comparative advantage; Corporate social responsibility; ...