In general, social economy refers to all economic activities carried out for the realization of the social values and benefits of community members. Social economy has globally received growing policy attention in recent decades, particularly with regard to its contribution to employment. In Korea, policy efforts recently have begun to further promote social economy. However, a clear consensus has yet to emerge as to the definition and category of social economy. In addition, it is difficult to obtain the comprehensive information on social economy since the statistical data is produced and managed by different ministries depending on the field of social economy activities.

The primary purpose of the current study is to explore the concepts and characteristics of social economy and to present basic statistical indicators for identifying it. In conclusion, this study suggests six integrated indicators to establish fundamental national statistics for social economy:

· Number of social economy enterprises

· Survival rates of social economy enterprises

· Number of paid employees of social economy enterprises

· Four major insurance schemes’ (i.e., National Health Insurance, National Pension, employment insurance, and industrial insurance) coverage rates for paid employees of social economy enterprises

· Monthly average wage for paid employees of social economy enterprises

· Annual sales of social economy enterprises 

Abstract ····································································································3

Chapter 1 Introduction ·························································································9

A. Research Background and Purposes ···········································································11

B. Research Scope and Methods ···········································································15

Chapter 2 Definition and Characteristics of Social Economy ···················································19

A. Definition and History of Social Economy ·································································21

B. Types and Characteristics of Social Entrerprises ··························································28

Chapter 3 Previous Studies on Social Economy Indicators ····················55

A. Social Economy Indicators Development Methods ··························································57

B. Major International Organizations' Social Economy Indicators ················································74

Chapter 4 Social Economy Indicators for Measuring Social and Economic Values ·········89

A. Outline on Constructing Statistical Indicators ·······································································91

B. Social Values Indicators ····································································99

C. Economic Values Indicators ··································································110

Chapter 5 Integrated Indicators for Measuring Social and Economic Values of Social Economy ····121

A. Social Economy Integrated Indicators ·······································································123

B. Suggestions for Complementing Social Economy Indicators ···················································135

References ···························································································145