Social economy and entrepreneurship for local development: an analysis of third sector companies in the Belluno Province

This thesis examines the role of Social Enterprises in promoting sustainable development in rural and mountain areas, with a particular focus on the province of Belluno, Italy. It combines a Systematic Literature Review of the European context with an empirical case study. The review analyses conceptual foundations, links with sustainability, and the specific features of rural territories, identifying thematic clusters and research gaps. The empirical part relies on interviews with social enterprises and institutional stakeholders to explore socio-economic conditions, policy frameworks, and organizational dynamics. By connecting the literature with local evidence, the thesis contributes to a better understanding of social enterprise in peripheral areas and outlines implications for research, policy, and practice.

This thesis investigates the characteristics and impact of social enterprises in Italy, with a particular focus on their role in marginal mountain areas. It combines a systematic literature review of the academic debate on social enterprise in the Italian context with a qualitative field study conducted in the province of Belluno. The research aims to understand how social enterprises operate in peripheral territories, exploring their business models, organisational practices, and social impact. The empirical investigation is based on semi-structured interviews with local entrepreneurs involved in socially oriented initiatives. The study adopts a multiple case study design and an interpretive approach to qualitative data analysis.