Social and Solidarity Economy and Co-optation, Isomorphism, and Instrumentalisation

This entry addresses co-optation, isomorphism, and instrumentalisation of the social and solidarity economy (SSE) through examining dynamics and trajectories of organisational transformation and the analysis of institutional arrangements. It defines co-optation, isomorphism and instrumentalisation and discusses the risks associated with these three processes for the future of the SSE. Focusing on the capacity of SSE organisations and enterprises (SSEOEs) to maintain their specificities over time, and thus to escape the phenomenon of trivialisation while adapting to a changing context, the entry presents three approaches of the SSE to reducing the risks of co-optation, isomorphism, and instrumentalisation, and increasing the capacity to contribute to social transformation.