Co-operative identity and the dual nature: From paradox to complementarities

Abstract

• Co-operatives are complex enterprises with multiple goals and objectives, defined by the ICA Statement on the Co-operative Identity. • They are often conceptualized in binary terms, as both social and economic entities, forming paradoxes. • Duality (paradox) in co-operatives is studied at different levels: individual motivations; organizational goals; and community impacts. • Associationalism as collective action is at the core of co-operative complex nature, with complementary, instead of diverging dual features. • Co-operatives are defined as collective enterprises (collective contributions; ownership; benefit; decisionmaking and control). Multiple roles and objectives are naturally inherent in the co-op idea, captured by the Statement on the Co-operative Identity (ICA, 1995) and thus in co-operative enterprises’ practices. This complex nature derived from the co-operative mission has been conceptualized as the dual nature, which is in the DNA of all co-operatives. However, the concept is somewhat ambiguous and a comprehensive theoretical framework is missing. Prior research has approached duality at different, and not clearly delineated levels, either as individual member motivations, organizational characteristics, or community impact, discussed in this paper. Further, we examine duality and paradox framings in co-operative enterprise research to underscore complementary features that define co-operative enterprise, and contribute an elaboration on the associative practices at the heart of these debates. Associationalism is described in this paper as the common action and responsibilities of membership regarding collective contributions, ownership, benefit, decisionmaking and control. Further, we extend the argument that co-operatives have the strongest impact when they acknowledge and take advantage of their unique organizational values and characteristics, informed by their associative foundations.