The Process of Introducing and Defining the Concept of Social Economy in Sweden and Japan

抄録

This study looks at the process of introducing and defining the concept of social economy in Japan and Sweden — two countries with different conceptions of the third sector. Although the social economy concept was introduced into both countries at about the same time the diffusion of the concept varied. Pressure from the EU membership boosted the process in Sweden and led to the launch of a cross-ministerial working group which included representatives from the social economy organizations, researchers, and representatives from regional and local government authorities. Japan lacked a similar external stimulus and discussions on the concept were primarily limited to people with backgrounds in cooperative related research and activities. The conclusion argues that a further inclusion in the discussions on a unifying concept for a third sector would result in greater insight and recognition by government officials and by ordinary citizens of the great variety of forms and methods available to organizations that fall under the social economy label.