L'imprenditore, il mercato, l'innovazione

Written by Luigino Bruni Tuesday, 29 June 2010 13:09

Nell'ambito del Seminario in preparazione alle Settimane Sociali dal titolo: "Quale imprenditore per uscire dalla crisi?"

L’imprenditore, il mercato, l’innovazione

La crisi come opportunità da cogliere per crescere insieme

Intervento di Luigino Bruni

Polo Lionello Bonfanti (Incisa Valdarno, FI), 17 giugno 2010

Innovazione e creatività

Nella vita economica (dell’economy) l’innovazione svolge un ruolo centrale. Lo vediamo osservando la vita delle imprese e i mercati, che è (quando l’economia è civile) essenzialmente una gara nell’innovare nel rispondere meglio ai bisogni dei cittadini. L’autore che ha fornito una vera e propria teoria dell’economia di mercato incentrata sul concetto di innovazione è l’economista e scienziato sociale J.A. Schumpeter il quale nel suo libro Teoria dello sviluppo economico (2002[1911]) descrive la dinamica del capitalismo come una rincorsa tra innovatori ed imitatori.

Egli utilizza un modello idealtipico nel quale il punto di partenza è lo “stato stazionario” dove le imprese pongono in essere soltanto attività routinarie, dove la vita economica si ripete in modo uniforme nel tempo, e il valore aggiunto da esse prodotto è esattamente sufficiente per coprire i costi di produzione e gli ammortamenti, senza creazione di nuova ricchezza. Lo sviluppo economico inizia quando un imprenditore spezza lo stato stazionario introducendo un’innovazione, che, per Schumpeter, è qualsiasi invenzione tecnica, nuova formula organizzativa, creazione di nuovi prodotti o di nuovi mercati, che fanno sì che si possa creare nuova ricchezza, che non solo copra i costi di produzione e gli ammortamenti, ma che crei profitto. Per Schumpeter il profitto, compreso l’interesse bancario, può essere maggiore di zero solo in presenza di innovazioni. L’imprenditore innovatore è il protagonista dello sviluppo economico, poiché crea vero valore aggiunto, e rende il sistema sociale dinamico.

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Economy of Communion

Written by Leo Andringa Friday, 30 April 2010 08:47

Presentation of the EoC Project during the commemmoration of Chiara Lubich held at the Italian Embassy to the Holy See

Economy of Communion  

Presentation by Leo Andringa, International EoC Commission

Rome, Palazzo Borromeo, April 15, 2010

My wife and I moved from Holland to Italy 5 years ago because we were fascinated, ever since it was born, by this new economic project, the Economy of Communion. In history, all spiritual movements were change agents (Saint Benedict, Saint Francis, etc.) and some were change agents also in the economic field. This is the case for the Focolare movement.

Chiara Lubich, founder of the Movement, was in Brazil in 1991 to get together with the Focolare community there. The Brazilian Focolare community reflected the country’s reality, where the disparity in income distribution was very evident. Many of the Focolare members were very poor and lived in the favelas without a job and without a future. To correct such a problem of social injustice and of the wrong distribution of goods, Chiara thought of enterprises and businesses as the natural “tool” to do this. She launched right then, a proposal: putting together talents and resources, creating businesses, and entrusting them to competent people in order to produce riches to divide into three parts.

One third is given for the growth of the enterprise and for new jobs, one third to help the poor, one third to instruct and conform people to the culture of giving and sharing. Chiara was always very concrete and she immediately asked for implementation.  A few days later, the first business was started: “La Tunica”, a factory of fabric products.

As of today, all over the world, in all continents, there are about 700 businesses that participate in the Economy of Communion and adhere to its values and culture. They encompass all sectors of commerce, services and production. They are about 400 in Europe, 200 in Latin America, 35 in North America, 25 in Asia, and a few more in Australia, Africa and the Middle East.

In the last five years, 50 new enterprises joined the EoC and 50 more have decided to join. A few hundred of them began to live the culture of fraternity at the base of the Economy of Communion without being part of the movement.

This new economic culture favors a new conceptualization of economic action, based on profits but striving, at the same time, to promote an integrated and solidarity based view of people and society. 

Business Operations in an EOC Firm: the experience of Bangko Kabayan

Written by Antonella Ferrucci Monday, 05 April 2010 17:38

Presentation given at the International Conference of Corporate Social Responsibility at the Overseas Chinese University, Taichung, Taiwan

Business Operations in an EOC Firm: the experience of Bangko Kabayan

Presentation by Teresa Ganzon, president of the Ibaan Rural Bank Foundation

Taichung, 26 March 2010

Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen. It is an honor to have been invited to address you today on the subject matter of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Economy of Communion (ECO) paradigm, with particular focus on how an EOC enterprise, Bangko Kabayan, Inc. operates.

This morning, my colleague, Ms Tita Puangco, talked about how, for an EOC company, CSR is not an added element to an EOC firm’s activities or practices. Rather, it’s basic principles of “embracing responsibility for the impact of its activities on environment, consumers, employees, communities”  and all else embraced by the term “stakeholders”, encouraging community growth and development proactively, deliberate inclusion of the public good in corporate decision-making and honoring the triple bottomline: Planet, People and Profit – all these are intrinsic to the life of an EOC enterprise.

EOC companies and CSR

The Economy of Communion firm, regardless of the type of business it is in, by allocation of its profits towards answering the needs of a community in need and helping to build structures to spread a culture of generosity and giving, and even in its commitment to grow the business so it could provide more employment and keep generating profits at the service of others - already embraces the concept of the triple bottomline. But perhaps, its unique contribution lies in its emphasis on building relationships and community – both within the enterprise and in the bigger external environment – while pursuing social and financial goals. EOC companies live CSR not via community projects in far away locations, financing projects for people who remain anonymous to them. Rather, the aspect of proximity becomes a necessary ingredient in their activities. Further, a goal of arriving to a relationship of reciprocity becomes a benchmark, as we believe that only in such a relationship is the ultimate vision of unity and universal brotherhood realized.

Experiences of Mutuality and Solidarity and the "Economy of Communion"

Written by Andrea Leonardi Tuesday, 23 March 2010 15:40

Part of the Convention Organized by the University of Trent "Chiara Lubich: from Trent to the World"

Experiences of Mutuality and Solidarity and the "Economy of Communion"

Presentation of Andrea Leonardi, University of Studies of Trent

Trent, 25 February 2010

In her June 8, 2001 discourse in front of the Municipal Council of Trent, Chiara Lubich did not hide her love for her birth city, which she said was "always in her heart." And in introducing her reflection on the topic of fraternity in the city, she recalled - as she usually did every time she had to analyze a certain happening or situations - the Evangelical basis and theological contents of this basic principal and how it is view in the world. In facing the political dimension of the concept of fraternity, as it is concretely envisioned by the movement she founded, Lubich underlined that alongside Igino Giordani, the figure of the Trenten statemen Alcide De Gasperi was also important to the maturation of this thought. Thanks to his contribution - she said on that occasion - "our spirituality has reinforce the vocation to unity."

This deals with two simple notes, of unquestionable diversity, capable however of giving witness to the deep link between the Focolare foundress and her land of origin. Evidently, although having left Trent 30 years earlier, returning only for sporadic visits, the city´s various cultural expressions, it´s important figures and their way of relating to others, directly or indirectly, had been sculpted into her very being during her childhood years spent there.

Good Practices: The Economy of Communion

Written by Luigino Bruni Tuesday, 23 March 2010 15:15

As part of the 2009 Theological Week of MEIC

Good Practices: The Economy of Communion

Presentation sent by Luigino Bruni, University of Milano-Bicocca and Sophia (FI)

Pacognano di Vico Equense (NA), 27-31 July 2009

1. Introduction

Who tells and interprets civil history without seeing the role of charisms tells a partial history.The experience lived in these years took what was an idea of mine and cultivated it into what is a profound conviction today: whoever recounts and considers civil and economic history without seeing the role of charisms, recounts a partial (and therefore erroneous) version of history. When charisms are at work in civil dynamics, another dimension enters into the scene with them. It is one characterized by an action of extraordinary and rare strength — love. Theology and Christian thought call this dimension “agape,” coining a then-new Greek word, because of the newness of the experience that Christians were living and still live thanks to Jesus´ life and message. Agape bursts into history along with the charisms, making its entrance both inside and outside the institutional boundaries of the Church (given the universal nature of Christianity), touching and moving people in all times and places. And if and in as much as these people are bearers of a charism, they are also bearers of agape, even when they don’t realize it. A charism is a gift of the Spirit to build up the common good. The term comes from charis, or the grace that is also the source of agape, the type of love which is typically Christian. As Benedict XVI highlighted in his "Caritas in Veritate," agape, charis, can even be the origin of the actions of who commits himself to economic and civil development; it can inspire spiritual life but also civil enterprise. This is where the layness of Christianity is: a logos that makes history and overcomes every distinction between "sacred" and "profane."

A few great charisms have affected the economic field: Benedict and Francis are always cited in this regard. But there have been hundreds if not thousands of people, bearers of charisms (and so moved by agape), that have animated economic life, giving life to works of charity, assistance, mercy, and whose historical importance is often underrated.

 Good Practices: The Economy of Communion (in Italian)

Efficiency, competitiveness and solidarity in the Economy of Communion

Written by Gabriella Berloffa Tuesday, 16 March 2010 11:43

Presentation given at a convention organized by the University of Trent, "Chiara Lubich: from Trent to the World"

Efficiency, competitiveness and solidarity in the Economy of Communion

Presentation by Gabriella Berloffa, Economics Department, University of Studies
Trent, 25 February 2010

Introduction

As described by Luigino Bruni, "The Economy of Communion arose from an original intuition which Chiara Lubich had during her stay in a small town of the Focolare, near Sao Paulo, Brazil, at the end of May 1991. Flying over Sao Paulo, Chiara was struck by the extreme misery and the many favelas that surrounded the city like a "crown of thorns". The strength of her reaction was probably due to the enormous contrast between those huts (where even various people of her community lived) and the many luxurious skyscrapers... An intuition emerged from that experience: extend the dynamic of communion from individuals - that were already practicing it - to businesses, inviting entrepreneurs and shareholders to put their profits in common... In the very first days the idea was already better focused: business profits should be placed in communion according to three precise goals: a) to finance the business itself; b) to spread the so-called "culture of giving"; c) for the poor in contact with the Focolare community" (Bruni, 2004, p.20).

If the economy of communion limited itself to a free decision about the use of business profits, it would not represent in itself that "radical" alternative to the prevailing economic vision, an idea also underlined by a few authors (see Bruni, 2004; Zamagni, 2004).

See full document (in Italian)

Financial Crisis and Wealth Disparity: the Role of a Renewed Economic Culture

Written by Benedetto Gui Friday, 05 February 2010 09:41

As part of the day dedicated to the financial crisis during the 4th Buddhist-Christian Symposium

Financial Crisis and Wealth Disparity: the Role of a Renewed Economic Culture

Presentation by Benedetto Gui

Chiang Mai (Thailand), February 4, 2010

“People want meaning in their lives – the kind of meaning that comes only from knowing that you are doing your part to make our world a better place. … [This] is an aspect of human nature that is totally ignored in the existing business world.” (Muhammad Yunus, Creating a World without Poverty, p. 162).

“It must be remembered that the market does not exist in the pure state. It is shaped by the cultural configurations which define it and give it direction..” (Encyclical letter Caritas in Veritate, §36)

The recent financial and economic crisis has caused widespread pains around the world. The prevailing attitude in the present phase of the crisis is one of impatient hope that the recovery will come soon, so we can go back to the previous state of affairs.

However, we must reflect on what has happened. The spark of the crisis has been the burst of the speculative bubble of American house prices. If we go deeper, we find that behind the scene of the crisis there are structural causes, such as the systematic excess of consumption of US households and inadequate financial regulations. However, if we go deeper still, a crucial question resurfaces, one that is more pressing than ever: is there anything systematically wrong in the economic system we live in that we must fix?

Donna, sviluppo e lavoro: il femminile nella dimensione economica

Written by Alessandra Smerilli Saturday, 31 October 2009 15:26

Nell'ambito della prima conferenza Internazionale su Donne e diritti umani intitolata “Vita, famiglia, sviluppo: il ruolo delle donne nella promozione dei diritti umani”, promossa dal Pontificio Consiglio della Giustizia e della Pace

Donna, sviluppo e lavoro: il femminile nella dimensione economica

Intervento di Alessandra Smerilli

Roma, 21 marzo 2009

Introduzione
“Il principio che regola gli attuali rapporti sociali tra i due sessi – la subordinazione dell’uno all’altro sancita per legge – è un principio scorretto in sé che, diventato ormai uno dei principali ostacoli al progresso umano, andrebbe sostituito con un principio di assoluta uguaglianza”.

Dal 1869, anno in cui Mill scriveva il libro “The subjection of women” molto è cambiato, e, almeno in termini di principio, oggi quasi nessuno oserebbe mettere in dubbio la sostanziale pari dignità tra uomo e donna. I dati a nostra disposizione, poi, mostrano che, almeno nei paesi occidentali, la pari dignità si sta traducendo velocemente anche in pari opportunità. Certo, il cammino è ancora lungo, e ancora in molte parti del mondo si verifica il fenomeno rilevato da Mill, e cioè la sostanziale subordinazione della donna, sancita per legge o frutto della tradizione.

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Economia di Comunione

Written by Luigino Bruni Wednesday, 28 October 2009 23:08

Nell'ambito del momento di incontro fra Movimenti, Associazioni e nuove comunità cristiane "Insieme per l'Europa 2009", ‘Sulla Tua parola…camminiamo insieme’

Economia di Comunione

Intervento di Luigino Bruni

Loppiano (Incisa Valdarno, FI),  20 settembre 2009

Intanto volevo esprimere un grazie personale e sentito a motivo di questa esperienze perché, se c’è una esperienza umana assolutamente straordinaria è ascoltare i carismi all’opera nella storia: un’esperienza che lascia senza fiato; quindi sono veramente grato di essere qui e poter partecipare a queste due giornate davvero meravigliose.

Nelle età di crisi non sono mai mancati i carismi che hanno dato una risposta anche ai problemi ed alle sfide civili ed economiche di un dato tempo. Basti pensare, per i noti esempi, a San Benedetto dopo il crollo dell'impero romano, a S. Francesco, con le prime grandi povertà urbane medievali, e a tutti i carismi sociali della modernità che hanno reso il giogo di tanti poveri ed esclusi più leggero e soave. Dobbiamo ricordare che il primo contratto regolare per un minorenne in apprendistato lo inventò don Bosco con un carisma per i ragazzi.

L'impresa come bene sociale

Written by Alberto Ferrucci Monday, 07 September 2009 12:48

Nell'ambito del Convegno di preparazione alle Settimane Sociali 2009 dal titolo "Ridefinizione dello Spazio Pubblico", tenutosi all'Università Cattolica di Milano

L'impresa come bene sociale

Intervento di Alberto Ferrucci

Milano, 5 giugno 2009

Sono stato invitato a dare una testimonianza in forza della mia esperienza, prima quale manager di una grande azienda e poi quale imprenditore.

Negli anni ’80 ero arrivato all’Assemblea di Confindustria in macchina blindata,  perché allora ero nel mirino delle Brigate Rosse, le quali ogni settimana erano solite sparare, quando andava bene alle gambe, almeno ad una persona del mondo dell'industria o della giustizia o della informazione: allora alcuni avevano preso a portarsi in tasca un laccio emostatico per bloccare una eventuale emorragia.

All'uscita dell'assemblea una signora mi consegnava il volantino della Associazione delle Mamme dei Terroristi, che diceva: “Sappiamo che i nostri figli hanno sbagliato ed è giusto che paghino per quello che hanno fatto. Voi però che gestite le aziende, ricordatevi che non sono vostre e che esistono grazie all'impegno di chi vi ha preceduto e di quanti vi hanno lavorato a tutti i livelli. Non potete quindi utilizzarle per i vostri scopi personali”.

Why are charisms necessary in order to bring about a fraternal economy?

Written by Crivelli, Luca Wednesday, 10 June 2009 13:14

During the meeting of Uruguayan EOC entrepreneurs held at the Mariapolis Center "Il Pelicano" in Montevideo

Why are charisms necessary in order to bring about a fraternal economy?

Presentation by Luca Crivelli

Montevideo,  January 3, 2009

In the title, a completely unpredictable logical nexus is established between three words: “economy”, “fraternity”, and “charism”.  I will now try to illustrate this connection by dividing my reflections into three parts.

In the first part, I´ll try to explain why fraternity can be considered as the broken promise of the French Revolution, which had proposed these three principles, “liberté, égalité e fraternité” (liberty, equality and fraternity), one next to the other.

In the second part, I´ll try to illustrate the contribution offered by the charisms (those historical and modern; those religious and civic) to the development of the modern economy.

The third part will briefly concentrate on the love trilogy: Eros, Philia, and Agape.  In lay terms, we could define these as “contract” (eros), reciprocal relationships (philia), and free and unconditional gift (agape). The lack of just one of these fibers in the social fabric could cause pathological derivations and put the very survival of the civil society at risk.

Full Text: Why are charisms necessary in order to bring about a fraternal economy?

Principato di Monaco, 30/11/2008

Written by Antonella Ferrucci Tuesday, 25 November 2008 16:59

SOLIDAR-ONE  

1st International Forum about solidarity  and international ccooperation

30th novembre 2008, 2 p.m.
Auditorioum Ranieri III
Boulevard Louis II,
98000 Principato di Monaco

dossier di presentazione

Convegno Decennale Cooperativa Sociale Spes

Written by Bruni, Luigino Saturday, 13 September 2008 18:14

Convegno Decennale Cooperativa Sociale Spes

“L’economia di Comunione: molla per fare impresa”

Intervento di Luigino Bruni

Pontedera (FI), 13 settembre 2008

Buongiorno, grazie di questa opportunità, di questo invito e grazie anche per la possibilità che, essendo qui, mi è data di conoscere meglio quest’esperienza, che mi sembra davvero carica di speranza per tutti.

Io, oltre che di economia, mi occupo anche di Economia di Comunione (EdC), questo progetto che è stato appena citato, guidando un po’ le attività del Progetto. Io volevo in questi venti minuti dire essenzialmente due cose: la prima cosa è partire da due parole che io considero chiavi dell’EdC, della cultura, dello stile di vita, dell’ethos di questo Progetto; e poi, il secondo punto, soffermarmi sul modo specifico del prendersi cura dell’EdC, cioè se c’è una differenza, un’identità, una particolarità, del prendersi cura, della cura che nasce da questo Progetto, che ha la sua origine nel carisma di Chiara Lubich del Movimento dei Focolari.

L'economia di Comunione: molla per fare impresa

Simposio presso l'UNESCO

Written by annette Monday, 23 June 2008 18:21

Du microcrédit à l’économie de communion

Des valeurs pour l’économie

Parigi - UNESCO, 2 febbraio 2008 - Programma e testi degli interventi

Moderatori
José et Chantal Grévin (New Humanity - Movimento dei Focolari)
Raymond et Claire Balmès (Fidesco - Comunità di Emmanuel)

Convegno Edizioni Paoline

Written by Crivelli, Luca Sunday, 08 June 2008 18:03

Missione e metodologia d’impresa

Intervento di Luca Crivelli

Ariccia (Roma), 8 giugno 2008

L’economia moderna si regge sul principio che il mercato e le organizzazioni economiche dovrebbero fare a meno, nel proprio agire, della dimensione dell’amore.

Il mainstream della scienza economica, tranne alcune luminose eccezioni, non solo ha utilizzato altri nomi, meno impegnativi, per descrivere comportamenti non egoistici nella sfera economica (come altruismo, filantropia o donazione), ...

Percorsi formativi all'EdC

Written by Crivelli, Luca Saturday, 17 May 2008 18:03

Per una governance di comunione nelle imprese EdC

Intervento di Luca Crivelli

Loppiano (Firenze), 17 maggio 2008 

«Una notte Francesco udì una voce: “Muoio”. Era un frate che gemeva. Francesco gli domandò cosa avesse: “Muoio di fame”. “Presto, tutti in piedi. Si prepari subito un pasto per tutti. Non bisogna che un frate muoia di fame, ma neppure che si senta imbarazzato a mangiare da solo.” Uno spuntino notturno austero, non c’è dubbio.» [Julien Green].

EOC and Microfinance

Written by Ganzon, Teresa Tuesday, 29 April 2008 18:03

The practice of EOC and Microfinance in Bangko Kabayan

by Teresa Ganzon

Chiara Lubich’s concept of the Economy of Communion was a revolutionary idea that immediately resonated in our hearts. It transformed our way of looking at our business. We found a renewed commitment to work and gained new understanding on the way the rural bank could be managed and how it held incredible potential to benefit the common good.

We decided to adhere to this concept and as a consequence, grow our business beyond the one-unit rural bank that it was. By doing so, we could provide more employment, increase our coverage of financial services and also, earn more profits to be shared in the Economy of Communion.

Acts of the International Convention 2007

Written by annette Monday, 10 December 2007 10:42

International Convention
Castel Gandolfo (RM), 30/11-2/12/2007

Vita e Cultura - Alberto Ferrucci
Message to the Congress on Work - Chiara Lubich
Lavorare per amore - Luigino Bruni
Igino Giordani: Chi ama, fa. - Alberto Lo Presti
La dimensione antropologica e spirituale del lavoro - Vera Araujo

Message for the Convention on Work

Written by Lubich, Chiara Friday, 30 November 2007 13:00

The International Congress was held from November 30 - December 2, 2007, in Castelgandolfo (Rome, Italy)

Chiara Lubich´s Message for the International EOC Congress

"Work in Communion"

Dear entrepreneurs, workers, professors, students and all those involved in the project for the Economy of Communion and in New Humanity’s World of Economy and Work,

We have come to the third international convention of the Economy of Communion “Working in Communion: Many Challenges, One Proposal”.

Settimane Sociali - ottobre 2007

Written by Bruni, Luigino Friday, 19 October 2007 15:25

Economia e bene comune: un rapporto appena incominciato

Intervento di Luigino Bruni al convegno "Il bene comune oggi: un impegno che viene da lontano"

Pistoia 19 ottobre 2007

Sono convinto che, come cristiani, non possiamo oggi fare alcun discorso sul bene comune senza prendere sul serio due grandi questioni: l’ambiente e la povertà, come anche il Prof. Zamagni ha sottolineato. Se, infatti, il Bene Comune è “il bene di tutti e di ciascuno”, allora esso deve includere tutti oggi, gli esclusi e i più fragili in particolare (povertà); e deve includere anche le future generazioni (ambiente).