This research explores Social Cooperatives focusing on what factors characterize a successful social cooperative. We apply a case for data collection. Semi-structured interviews and direct observation were used to collect qualitative data. A case on Unitis, a Swedish Social Cooperative, developed in 1998 with the main aim to create employment and to empower disable people by setting up a handicraft cooperative owning it together, has been conducted in its real life context. The results indicate that five factors are important for the success of the cooperative. Social well being and members empowerment, networking to identify and exploit business opportunities, financial independence by adapting innovative business ideas, independence from volunteers and trusting on sustainable own human resources and generation of economic wealth using it for the well being of the members. The research contributes to the literature and theoretical development on social enterprises by analysing a Swedish case based on successful factors to sustain social cooperatives. We suggest that networking with stakeholders can contribute to make social cooperatives visible and sustainable.
Key Words: Social Enterprises, Unitis, Social Economy, Cooperatives, Sweden.