Systemic efficiency in solidarity economic enterprises of recycling: construction and application of multidimensional indicators

Abstract

Measuring the efficiency of economic organizations is usually based on the canonical rationality of the market economy, for which profit maximization is the central purpose, and economic invoicing its indicator of success. Enterprises in the field of solidarity economy, whose economic efficiency is inseparable from other dimensions, lack instruments to capture this multidimensionality. This work aims to analyze the application of multidimensional indicators for measure the efficiency of solidarity economic enterprises (SEE) on recycling through the presentation of the case study at UNIVALE Cooperative, located in the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). To this end, the Multidimensional Recycling Cooperatives Efficiency Index (IEMCR) was developed through exploratory research, theoretical review and instrument analysis (Ferrarini, 2008; Kraychete, 2012; Gaiger & Ecosol Group, 2014). The IEMCR was elaborated based on a systemic view of reality and through the agglutination of simple indicators related to the economic, social, political, environmental and human dimensions. The results of the application of the IEMRC showed that the SEEs surveyed are efficient from a multidimensional point of view, since they make economic efficiency with the welfare and citizenship of their members; they constitute important spaces for political struggle; they generate positive social and environmental impact and contribute to more sustainable and inclusive forms of development. The diversity of indicators has also made it possible to identify weaknesses and draw up a guideline for improving the multidimensional efficiency of SEE, and which can be an instrument applicable to both research and diagnostic processes in advisory activities for economic organizations that focus on social and environmental impact.