Instrument design to evaluate and identify projects that are based on the values and principles that characterize the Social and Solidary Economy

Abstract

The Social and Solidary Economy (SSE) is defined as an economic system that functionally ensures the material basis integrated into a just and balanced society. This economic system is increasingly practiced worldwide and in our country as an alternative solution to the problems of poverty and inequality caused by prevailing economic models. To provide the SSE with knowledge, a quantitative tool was developed to evaluate projects characterized by values and principles that integrate the SSE. The instrument constructed was a questionnaire designed using the Guttman scalogram, a technique that measures the intensity of attitude. This research describes the stages developed in the construction of the questionnaire. In the first stage, the conceptual definition of the categories and dimensions that make up the questionnaire was carried out; in the second stage, the categories and dimensions were operationalized; in the third stage, the questionnaire was constructed; in the fourth stage, a pilot test was conducted on 10 projects with SSE characteristics; and, finally, the questionnaire was validated, obtaining a Guttman split-half coefficient of 0.94, which indicates high internal consistency and, therefore, high reliability to measure the construct for which it was designed. Additionally,this questionnaire made it possible to classify the degree of implementation of the values and principles of the SSE in the projects.