finishing my thesis feels surreal after weeks researching articles and case studies. but more than that, it was about digging into the soul of a new kind of economy. my research explored the digitalization of italian social enterprises, framed by the beautiful principles of civil economy.
civil economy emphasizes reciprocity, trust, and the common good, values that seem at odds with the fast-paced, efficiency-driven world of digital tech. so i asked myself: “how can social enterprises embrace digital tools without losing their essence?”
what emerged was a fascinating, split landscape. on one side, you have traditional social enterprises navigating “incremental digitalization,” a slow and often challenging adaptation. on the other, a new wave of “digital native” social enterprises is rising, building their mission directly into the code and architecture of their platforms.
this is where theory met reality for me. my thesis wasn’t complete without a living, breathing case study. and i found the perfect one in care2impact and their digital product, www.ariannacare.com.
care2impact embodies this digital-native spirit. they are a social enterprise that didn’t just adopt tech; they built their entire mission around it. ariannacare is the proof of concept. it’s a platform designed to support family caregivers, a group that represents the very essence of reciprocity and community.
my research highlighted how digital tools can either amplify values or erode them. ariannacare is a good example of using tech in a meaningful way. it uses technology not to replace human connection, but to foster it.
so my thesis was about the theory of how social enterprises can digitize without losing their heart. care2impact and ariannacare are the journey. they show us that when technology is built with the principles of civil economy at its core, it doesn’t just create efficiency; it creates deeper, more meaningful impact.
the best part? i was part of this journey. i actively contributed by collaborating with stakeholders caregivers and designers in order to develop the platform (and i am very proud of how it is evolving).