Triple bottom line determinants of inter‐organizational collaboration in the Spanish social economy

Abstract

This study examines determinants of inter‐organizational collaboration in social economy organizations through a triple bottom line framework. Using data from 2002 Spanish organizations participating in REAS social balance sheet (2019–2024), we employ generalized linear mixed models to analyse how economic, social and environmental factors influence collaborative propensity. Results reveal balanced contributions from all three dimensions. Counterintuitively, organizations with lower market orientation exhibit a higher collaborative propensity, suggesting that grant‐dependent entities are more embedded in collaborative networks than market‐oriented ones. This challenges assumptions about financial autonomy as prerequisite for collaboration. In the social dimension, dignified working conditions emerge as a predictor, alongside complex gender dynamics in which workforce composition and leadership positions operate in opposite directions. In the environmental dimension, sustainability commitment shows limited independent explanatory power but becomes broadly comparable to the other dimensions within the integrated model, suggesting it acts as a contextual amplifier rather than an independent driver of collaboration. Contrary to meta‐organization theory, tenure in collective accountability tools shows no moderating effects. However, contextual factors, particularly legal form, significantly influence collaborative patterns, with cooperatives and non‐profits demonstrating a higher propensity than commercial organizations.