The WISE's success factors from a multidimensional and multi-stakeholder perspective. An explorative study in the Swiss context

Background: Work integration social enterprises (WISEs) are a specific category of social enterprises that pursue the objective of reintegrating disadvantaged people into the labour market. There has been so far no research... [ view full abstract ]

Background: Work integration social enterprises (WISEs) are a specific category of social enterprises that pursue the objective of reintegrating disadvantaged people into the labour market. There has been so far no research project that simultaneously investigated the economic and the social success factors of WISEs. Furthermore, whereas scientific research has paid attention to the economic success, very little is currently known about the social success factors.

Aim: The purpose of this explorative study is to help identifying a series of factors enhancing the social success (either work integration, improved employability and/or poverty reduction of the target-group), as well as the economic success of WISEs.

Methods: A mix of quantitative and qualitative methods have been used. The findings represent a summary of the point of view of the three main stakeholders of WISEs: the members of their strategic and director board, the beneficiaries (i.e. the disadvantaged workers) and the public bodies.

Results: No less than 30 success factors have been identified: 6 success factors are mainly linked with the economic performance, 12 factors with the social performance and 12 to both dimensions. Despite its explorative nature, this study represents a valuable basis for future research and discussions regarding the impacts of WISEs and their success factors.