Work integration social enterprises as symbols of sustainable entrepreneurship: evidence from Spanish case studies

Abstract

Work integration social enterprises (WISEs) are a type of social companies dedicated to help people at risk of social exclusion to join the ordinary labour market. Koopera Santander (second hand clothing sale) and PLIS Servicios (ecological car washing) are two WISEs in the Spanish region of Cantabria that are also examples of sustainable entrepreneurship due to the activity they carry out (sustainability of resources), the objective to which they are committed (labour sustainability) and the saving of public resources (sustainability of public administration). Despite the support of associations or cooperatives, both WISEs mention administrative barriers as the main obstacle to set up this type of social enterprise. The success of WISEs is due to more inclusive cultures and the deductions provided to private companies when hiring people who have passed through an itinerary of labour insertion.