Factores que determinan la rentabilidad económica de empresas socialmente responsablescaso particular de los centros especiales de empleo

Abstract

Sheltered Employment Centers (CEEs) are productive socially responsible companies for disabled workers to integrate them into society. Nowadays, there is a growing interest in these firms due to its importance, growth and competitiveness in the labour market and its social work. For the society, CEEs are companies with social aims and an opportunity of responsible development. According to several studies recently conducted in Spain, the number of CEEs has increased considerably despite of the economic crisis. However, some authors suggests that, in theory, this evolution is due to public support received as a result of the integration of disabled people. Nevertheless, there is not empirical evidence to support this statement. Consequently, the aim of this work is to analyze the economic viability of CEEs and identify what variables affect in its profitability in a positive way. The research sample is composed by all the Sheltered Employment Centers situated in the Community of Madrid. We have obtained the financial statements for two years of 88 companies out of 180 in total. The main contribution of this study is to show what variables determine the profitability of these businesses and if public support is one of them. The results show that public support is not a key variable for the financial viability of the CEEs, that is, they are viable businesses regardless of subsidies.