Concept approach for measuring solidarity economy in agriculture

Abstract

Purpose – this work aims to modernize and supplement the methodological approach developed to measure the solidarity economy as a socio-economic phenomenon to determine the reserves and potential for transformation of solidarity at the level of national economies. Research methodology – the presented research has a conceptual character. For the formation of the algorithm for evaluation used the method of logical generalization and systematic analysis, for search and analysis of descriptive data – thematic analysis of literature sources, for the formation and selection of indicators of solidarity economy of the agricultural sector – content analysis of data characterizing the development of cooperatives in agriculture and their environment functioning, using of secondary data allowed to synthesize existing knowledge, to analyze the current state of solidarity of the agricultural sector. Scientific articles of the Scopus database, publications of web portals of the solidarity economy (SE), and information from the Eurostat methodology were used as sources. Findings – the research contributes to increasing the visibility of the positive effects of the SE in the agricultural sector to improve its social and political recognition. Research limitations – the research is limited by the chosen methodological approach that makes it unable to conduct an expansion and development of a system of qualitative indicators of estimation of solidarity economy with a specific focus on agriculture(SEAGro), which can be used for the development of the classification of indicators of SERagro, research of influence of solidarity of farmers on sustainable development of a regions. Practical implications – measuring the scale and impact of SE in the agro sector will help to establish the socio-, ecological, and economic effects for Sustainable Development in general and contribute to further institutional and policy transformations. Originality/Value – not only quantitative and qualitative indicators of SE as a socio-economic phenomenon were studied in order to determine the reserves and potential of solidarity transformations, but also developed a scientific and methodological approach to assessing the solidarity of the agricultural.