Raymond Saner, Lichia Saner-Yiu & Samuel Brülisauer “Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the Social and Solidarity Economy”, 2023

Principles and values associated with the SSE played an important role in the early production and use of ICT. What began with the ‘free software movement’ which promoted the development of operating systems and applications for computers, servers and smartphones based on collaboration, openness, and control by users, has grown into a variety of organizations that offer products and services. At the same time, the ICT industry has consolidated and is now dominated by a few large ICT companies of commercial private sector orientation. This book chapter narrates the emergence of ICT and its impact on the economy and describes the role of SSE organisations (SSEOs) in developing and producing ICT. It further discusses how SSE organizations respond to trends associated with ICT by using and operating technologies in line with their principles and values. The book chapter closes with an examination of the challenges and opportunities of SSEOs in the face of recent ICT-related trends.