The new merger: combining third sector and market-based approaches to tackling inequalities

Roy, M. J., Hill OConnor, C. , McHugh, N., Biosca, O. and Donaldson, C. (2015) The new merger: combining third sector and market-based approaches to tackling inequalities. Social Business, 5(1), pp. 47-60.

Abstract

In this paper we discuss the challenge posed by growing inequalities, specifically health inequalities, which have grown increasingly wider in recent decades. Rather than arguing for a wholesale return to state intervention to curb the worst excesses of the market, we put forward a less obvious potential solution, arguing for a greater role - and greater recognition - for the 'social economy': the part of the third or non-profit sector concerned with trading in the market rather than relying upon public funds or charitable donations to stay in business. We present three examples of such organisations, drawn from the UK, and discuss how doing business in such a way presents obvious benefits for, but challenges to, existing thinking, particularly in relation to how 'success' should be measured.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hill OConnor, Dr Clementine
• Authors: Roy, M. J., Hill OConnor, C., McHugh, N., Biosca, O., and Donaldson, C.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
• Journal Name: Social Business
• Publisher: Westburn Publishers
• ISSN: 2044-9860
• ISSN (Online): 2044-9860