'This book provides a thought-provoking and balanced evaluation of the third sector. It is a timely and accessible intervention for those engaged with the sector on a practical or academic basis.' - Tim Palazon, University of Wales Institute A valuable new text which explores and maps out this emerging area with useful case studies and an international context. - Paul Palmer, Professor of Voluntary Sector Management, Cass Business School, City University London, UK. Bridge, Murtagh and O'Neill explain the key ideas, identify useful models, present interesting examples, track the policy debates, and set their exposition in an international context. Their text will be a useful resource for researchers, as well as essential reading for graduate and undergraduate courses concerned with this important and fast-moving field. - Rob Paton, Professor of Social Enterprise, The Open University, UK. This text provides excellent depth and breadth of coverage allowing the reader to define the nature and characteristics of third sector organisations within a wider political and policy context. I found the chapter on social capital particularly fascinating and valuable in bringing the subject to life. Those looking for an clearly written, well structured and academically robust insight into the contribution and scope of the social economy should probably start here. - John Connell, Leader, Postgraduate Social Enterprise Programmes, Caledonian University Business School This is an extremely useful and interesting book which I'd strongly recommend to researchers and students of the social economy, as well as policymakers and staff of social enterprise support organizations.It is well organized and clearly presented, with good use of summary boxes, exercises, essay and discussion topics at the end of each section, making the book particularly useful for teaching purposes. - International Small Business Journal 28(4) September 2010 'I think it is excellent for Undergraduate level teaching and I am looking forward to using it next semester on my Module Co-operative Enterprise.' - Dr Adrian Bailey, Lecturer in Management, The University of Exeter Business School 'In short, this book provides a thought-provoking and balanced evaluation of the third sector. It is a timely and accessible intervention for those engaged with the sector on a practical or academic basis.' - Tim Palazon, University of Wales Institute, reviewed in Work, employment and society -Volume 24: Number 1
