Social and Solidarity Economy: analysis of trends, knowledge networks, and conceptual evolution.

Abstract

Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) has emerged as an alternative economic paradigm with growing international recognition. This study employs bibliometric analysis to examine 201 documents indexed in Web of Science (2007-2025), mapping research trends and conceptual evolution. The results reveal exponential growth in scientific publications since 2020, with a global geographic diversification that transcends traditional academic boundaries. Co-occurrence analysis identifies several thematic clusters, highlighting the multidisciplinary nature of SSE: social entrepreneurship, innovation, governance, and public policy. The findings confirm the consolidation of SSE as a distinct academic field, providing insights for researchers and policymakers regarding future directions for this transformative paradigm of sustainable development.