Entrepreneurship and Traditional Know-How: The Case of Rural Moroccan Women
Abstract
This paper seeks to study the migration dynamics of rural Moroccan women and, hence, to offer insights into from the new entrepreneurial process, so as to alleviate the effects of migration on both sending and receiving cities/countries. More specifically, the main objective is to develop anchored initiatives for rural women, in order to contribute to their welfare. Therefore, this paper endeavors to theoretically and empirically investigate the root causes of migration in rural exodus. In effect, the hypothesis behind the study assumes that if rural women are empowered through development initiatives to valorize and cement their traditional know-how – to generate financial independence to support both themselves and their families – they might potentially question their migration plans. Furthermore, this paper contributes to providing insights based on action research through an analysis of the immediate and mediate environment, using qualitative reasoning and/or systems thinking. Specific literature review, field visits, interviews, and real-case studies have been exploited to collect relevant data regarding the value chain.
The Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) in Morocco
Abstract
The aim in this paper is to evaluate the SSE’s capacity to create and to facilitate the transition from informal activity to the formal economy in Morocco. We conduct a quantitative and qualitative Survey and discuss some crucial challenges and weaknesses that SSEs face. Our results highlight that SSE structures have gained the capacity to create jobs after their first year of activity. The SSE becomes a catalyst of social change by providing decent income opportunities for both men and women.
The Social and Solidarity Economy in Tunisia and its role in formalising the Informal Economy: a qualitative survey
Abstract
This paper attempts to better understand the functioning of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) establishments in Tunisia, the economic and social role they played, the main constraints and challenges they faced and, especially, their role in formalising the informal sector. To meet these objectives, in addition to reviewing the available works dealing with this field, we have conducted interviews with 31 SSE organisations.
The results suggest that the development of the SSE contributes to the formalisation of the informal sector via many channels. The main channels are: better organisation and generating returns from scale by regrouping into a social and solidarity structure; easier access to finance; better integration into value chains; training; supporting and coaching of micro units; jobs creation in the SSE and many initiatives to open up job opportunities; and proposals emerging from the SSE and local communities to simplify and change the legal framework in order to promote formalisation.
