Benefits Of Cooperation Research Articles

How do cooperative rebates and asset specificity impact operating performance of farmer cooperatives? evidence from China.

Improving farmer cooperatives' operating performance is essential for their economic sustainability and for promoting sustainable agricultural development. Despite the prominent role of benefit distribution and asset specificity in cooperation organizations, their impact on performance remains controversial, and the relationship between the three is unclear. This study focuses on cooperative benefit distribution in terms of their rebates (first and second rebates) and investigates the relationship between asset specificity, cooperative rebate and operating performance. The results show that both the first and second rebates have a positive impact on operating performance and play substitutive roles in increasing operating performance. Physical asset specificity (PAS) impacts first rebates positively, whereas human asset specificity (HAS) impacts first rebates negatively. PAS has a positive effect on operating performance whereas HAS has no significant influence on operating performance. Furthermore, the first rebate mediates the relationship between PAS and operating performance and suppresses the relationship between HAS and operating performance. These findings provide support for developing relevant policies to improve cooperative performance and sustainability.

Innovation Reefs (I-Reef): Innovation Ecosystems Focused on Regional Sustainable Development

The creation of successful innovation ecosystems, like Silicon Valley, is challenging due to significant cultural, infrastructural, and resource differences between regions. In this context, the Innovation Reef (I-Reef) model emerges as a promising alternative, offering an approach for regions with limited resources to develop successful innovation ecosystems based on cooperation and mutual benefit among participants. This model has great potential to promote regional development, especially due to its focus on retaining and sharing the value generated. However, the role of I-Reef in sustainable regional development still needs to be further explored. Thus, the objective of this study is to deepen the theoretical understanding of the I-Reef model by analyzing its contribution to sustainable development. To achieve this, a comparison was made between I-Reef and established models such as business, innovation, knowledge, and entrepreneurial ecosystems. A systematic literature review conducted on Scopus found 704 articles published in the last three decades. The purpose was to identify the similarities and differences between the models of innovation business ecosystem models. The results show that there is alignment between I-Reef and the different ecosystems on several points. A central aspect of I-Reef is that it relies on a strong network of mutually beneficial relationships, much more oriented to sustainable development than the other models, which is a key factor in generating competitive advantage and development for the region. This characteristic is either not addressed or not placed at the core of the ecosystems discussed in the literature. For future research, empirical studies and validation of the I-Reef model with experts are suggested, as this theoretical study lays the foundation for more in-depth analyses.

Cooperative energy and reserve trading strategies for multiple integrated energy systems based on asymmetric nash bargaining theory

To tackle the issues of cooperative energy and reserve trading as well as fair cooperative benefit allocation among multiple integrated energy systems (IESs), this paper proposes a two-stage cooperative energy and reserve trading model for multiple integrated energy systems (MIESs). Specifically, at day-ahead stage, MIESs aim to maximize their overall profit through cooperative electricity and heat trading. At real-time stage, MIESs trade demand response (DR) reserve to minimize the overall wind power deviation compensation cost. To reduce the complexity in model solution, we transform the model into two sub-problems. In sub-problem 1, we determine the energy and DR reserve trading volumes. Here, distributionally robust optimization (DRO) is utilized to manage the severe uncertainties in wind power distribution. In sub-problem 2, based on the outcomes from sub-problem 1, we settle the energy and DR reserve trading prices. To ensure the fairness of benefit allocation, asymmetric Nash bargaining theory is applied to assess each IES's contributions in trading volumes and profit growth. Interval adaptive alternating direction method of multipliers (IA-ADMM) is used to preserve each IES's privacy. Finally, simulation results demonstrate that, compared with independent operation, cooperative trading among MIESs increases profits for all IESs, thereby motivating their participation in cooperative trading.

Cooperation under the shadow of political inequality

We study cooperation among individuals and groups facing a dynamic social dilemma in which the benefits of cooperation are divided according to political power obtained in a contest. The main theoretical and experimental results focus on the role of the incumbency advantage. Specifically, an incumbency advantage in the political contest leads to a rapid breakdown of cooperation in the social dilemma. In addition, we investigate whether groups behave differently than individuals and provide simulations based on the individual evolutionary learning model of Arifovic and Ledyard (2012) to shed light on the difference observed in the experiment.

How cooperative mindsets and course climate relate to the perceived impact of digital cooperation on learning in higher education

AbstractThis article in the journal “Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. (GIO)” presents the results of a study examining one underlying mechanism of successful digital cooperation among students in higher education from a student perspective. We investigated whether and how students’ cooperative mindset and the climate in their university courses correlate with how they perceive the impact of digital cooperation on their learning outcomes. Data were collected using a questionnaire in different university courses at three universities, involving students from different study programmes and semesters. We conducted a mediation analysis that included students’ cooperative mindsets, the perception of the course climate, and the perception of the impact of digital cooperation on students’ learning outcomes. We found that students’ cooperative mindsets predicted their perception of the impact of digital cooperation on their learning. The cooperative mindset of students also predicted their perception of the course climate, which, in turn, predicted their perception of the impact of digital cooperation on their learning. Moreover, we found that the effect of students’ cooperative mindset on the perceived impact of digital cooperation on learning was mediated by the perception of the course climate. These findings suggest that highlighting the relevance of digital cooperation for learning outcomes can initiate a positive dynamic shaping students’ perceptions of their course climate and benefits of digital cooperation. Understanding these dynamics is crucial because cooperative group work in digital environments has become an integral part of teaching in higher education.

Research on energy interactive operation optimization strategy of multi-energy network with integrated energy based on cooperative game

Abstract Integrated energy includes multi-energy networks such as electricity, gas, cold, and heat. Horizontal multi-energy coordination and vertical source network storage load interaction can effectively support large-scale new energy consumption. In this paper, a multi-energy flow model of the integrated energy multi-energy network is constructed, an optimization model of energy sharing and mutual benefit of the multi-energy network is established based on Nash negotiation, and then the model is solved to obtain the optimal distribution scheme of cooperation benefits. Finally, a numerical example is given to verify the proposed energy sharing and mutual benefit method. The results show that the total power generation cost of each park is reduced by 27%, and the profit distribution of each park is more reasonable.

Commercial Space Industry Development from the Perspective of the Triple Helix: Evidence from China and the United States

Abstract: The university-industry-government triple helix has been an ideal approach to interpret the growth of innovative industries, especially in the context of todays technological leap. This study examines the commercial space sectors in United States and China, the two leading space powers, to analyze how the triple helix structures evolve and synergize to shape their respective industries. It is found that in the United States, the helix is rooted in legislation and procurement support, spurred by a well-developed industrial system, and reinforced by extensive enterprise-university collaboration programs. In contrast, the Chinese triple helix formation trajectory begins with experimental policies and space infrastructure construction, evolves through enterprises considered positioning in reusable rocket and satellite internet, and is potentially propelled by an expanding scale of talents exiting state-owned space institutions or fostered by emerging academies. After that, a lateral comparison between the two triple-helix models is undertaken to unveil the characteristics, similarities, and disparities within the commercial space industries of these two nations. This paper concludes that, for nations aiming at establishing a commercially sustainable space industry, the essence lies in a fully developed triple helix where efforts of government, industry, and academia can systematically converge without significant lag in any aspect. The paper also mentions the potential benefits of commercial space cooperation between the United States and China.

Increasing benefits in one-time public goods does not promote cooperation

The long tradition of research on cooperation includes a well-established finding that individuals respond to the degree of conflict between self- and collective interests (that is, the relative benefits from cooperation) in providing public goods. Existing empirical evidence builds upon settings where participants make multiple decisions or strategically consider alternative scenarios. Here, we consider a decision setting where participants face a one-time (single-decision) setting. One-time cooperative encounters often occur in volunteering or donating to immediate needs for crisis relief. For these distinct and highly relevant settings, we report a lack of responsiveness to increases in cooperation benefits, thereby highlighting limits to our understanding of the determinants of one-time cooperation encounters. Across two studies, n = 2,232 individuals participate in treatments where we vary across participants the relative benefit from contributing to a public good (that is, the marginal per capita return, the MPCR). We examine decisions from alternative participant pools (UK general population vs. students), implementations varying the physical distance between participants (online vs. in the laboratory), and more complex decision settings considering group-to-group interactions including not only providers but also donors to public goods. Throughout, neither average contribution levels, nor the distribution of contributions are significantly affected by the increases in cooperation benefits. The mechanism behind these results can be explained by the close correlation between expectations of other's cooperation and own cooperation, and the fact that these expectations do not increase with higher benefits from cooperation.

Evolution of sex differences in cooperation can be explained by trade-offs with dispersal.

Explaining the evolution of sex differences in cooperation remains a major challenge. Comparative studies highlight that offspring of the more philopatric sex tend to be more cooperative within their family groups than those of the more dispersive sex but we do not understand why. The leading "Philopatry hypothesis" proposes that the more philopatric sex cooperates more because their higher likelihood of natal breeding increases the direct fitness benefits of natal cooperation. However, the "Dispersal trade-off hypothesis" proposes that the more dispersive sex cooperates less because preparations for dispersal, such as extra-territorial prospecting, trade-off against natal cooperation. Here, we test both hypotheses in cooperatively breeding white-browed sparrow weavers (Plocepasser mahali), using a novel high-resolution automated radio-tracking method. First, we show that males are the more dispersive sex (a rare reversal of the typical avian sex difference in dispersal) and that, consistent with the predictions of both hypotheses, females contribute substantially more than males to cooperative care while within the natal group. However, the Philopatry hypothesis cannot readily explain this female-biased cooperation, as females are not more likely than males to breed within their natal group. Instead, our radio-tracking findings support the Dispersal trade-off hypothesis: males conduct pre-dispersal extra-territorial prospecting forays at higher rates than females and prospecting appears to trade-off against natal cooperation. Our findings thus highlight that the evolution of sex differences in cooperation could be widely attributable to trade-offs between cooperation and dispersal; a potentially general explanation that does not demand that cooperation yields direct fitness benefits.

Effects of cooperation between institutions and organisations operating in the field of social assistance on the example of the Cooperation Model in rural municipalities

The article attempts to identify the benefits of inter-organizational cooperation in the form of partnership projects. It analyzes benefits for institutions and non-governmental organizations participating in the project named „Leaders of Cooperation” and in testing the Cooperation Model for rural municipalities, for the employees of these entities, and it seeks to answer the question of how cooperation in teams translates into support and assistance for individuals, families in the local community.The model was developed as a result of implementing the project named „Leaders of Cooperation”, co-financed by the European Social Fund for the years 2014–2020 under the Operational Programme Knowledge Education Development. The primary goal of the Cooperation Model is to support institutions in municipalities and districts so they can more effectively assist individuals, families, and groups.The results discussed later in the article relate to research conducted using the qualitative technique of focus group interviews (FGI), completed at the end of the Model’s testing. The areas where benefits from cooperation were observed were associated with greater agility, efficiency, and effectiveness in task execution. There was noted potential for better diagnosing local needs and promoting cooperation as a new approach to delivering social services.The experience of joint action, sharing responsibility, and basing relationships on trust are essential foundations for building social capital. A trusting atmosphere encourages the desire to work, fosters creativity, and facilitates the efficient exchange of information.Team members were provided with support, enhanced competencies, and professional development (coaching, supervision, educational platform). The teams’ adoption of diverse solutions, based on the resources of individuals and families, contributed to their awareness of their competencies and an increase in their activation.

РОЛЬ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫХ И ЧАСТНЫХ СТРУКТУР В ФОРМИРОВАНИИ ОРГАНИЗАЦИОННОЙ МОДЕЛИ СИСТЕМЫ УПРАВЛЕНИЯ В ТУРИСТСКОЙ ИНДУСТРИИ

The scientific article highlights the key aspects of tourism development management, including strategies, financial support, regulation and the results of a comprehensive study of the role of public and private structures in the formation of an organizational model of the management system of the tourism industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan are presented. In the course of the work, an overview of existing development strategies was conducted, the roles of public and private structures in the formation of infrastructure were highlighted, and the effectiveness and prospects of cooperation between these sectors were analyzed. The presented analysis includes an assessment of the degree of engagement, the effectiveness of resource use, as well as identifying the advantages and disadvantages of existing partnerships. The article also examines the key benefits of cooperation, such as combined experience and knowledge, financial empowerment and joint marketing promotion. At the same time, disadvantages such as bureaucratic obstacles and risks to data privacy are highlighted. Recommendations for improving cooperation between public and private structures are proposed, and prospects for the development of the tourism infrastructure of the Republic of Kazakhstan are highlighted. The possibilities of intensifying the dialogue, creating a unified development strategy and promoting innovation and digitalization in tourism are discussed. The work provides an extensive overview of the current state of the tourist infrastructure and is aimed at forming practical recommendations for its sustainable development. Keywords: tourism industry, tourism infrastructure, development strategies, public structures, private structures, environmental sustainability, financial support, strategic cooperation.

FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF IMPROVED TOMATO SEED VARIETIES AMONG SMALL-SCALE TOMATO FARMERS IN SOUTH WEST ZONE OF NIGERIA

The study examines factors influencing adoption of improve tomato varieties among small-scale farmers in Southwest Nigeria. Data were collected via structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, probit regression, and Likert scales. The findings revealed that 41.4% of the farmers were in their productive years with an average age of 45 years, predominantly male (70.0%), married (81.9%), with small households averaging five members. However, 87.5% had formal education and average of eight years of tomato farming experience. The farmers cultivate an average of 0.63 hectares, indicating small-scale operations. Furthermore, 85.6% of the farmers were not part of cooperatives. The result also shows that 80.0% and 65.0% of the farmers lack access to credit and extension services in the study area. Logic regression model reveal 68.39% probability of adoption of improve tomato seed varieties among farmers. Key factors significantly influencing adoption include age, gender, farming experience, education, access to extension services, market distance, input supply, and specific training. Major challenges include high input cost (73.8%), pests and diseases (55.6%), lack of credit (61.9%), marketing issues (28.8%) and unfavorable weather (18.1%). Therefore, recommendations from the study include strengthening extension services, raising awareness of cooperative membership benefits, and addressing farmers' priorities and needs.

Coordinated planning model for multi-regional ammonia industries leveraging hydrogen supply chain and power grid integration: A case study of Shandong

With the advancement of green hydrogen production technology, power-to-ammonia (P2A) has emerged as a pivotal approach for consuming large-scale renewable resources. However, the inherent intermittency of wind and solar resources leads to a spatial and temporal mismatch between supply and demand, rendering effective integration within a single region challenging and necessitating cross-regional collaborative planning. To address this, we propose a coordinated planning model for a multi-regional ammonia industrial system (MAIS) that leverages the integration of a hydrogen supply chain (HSC) and power grid (PG), termed HSC-PG-MAIS. During the modeling of the HSC, we developed a novel hydrogen truck transportation model that allows trucks to serve as both hydrogen storage and transportation resources. Furthermore, considering the cooperative relationships among ammonia industrial systems in different regions, we proposed a Nash bargaining method based on the magnitude of interactive value contributions to equitably allocate the cooperation costs and benefits of the MAIS. Finally, real data from Shandong Province in China is used to validate the effectiveness and significance of the proposed model and strategy. The results indicate that the proposed model can effectively reduce the overall operating costs of the system and enhance its flexibility, providing valuable insights into exploring the collaborative potential of large-scale renewable resources across regions.

Research on cooperative operation optimization method of internet data center alliance considering diversified flexibility

With the rapid development of large-scale internet data center in China, the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutrality has put forward higher requirements for low-carbon economic operation of internet data center. Considering complementary advantages among internet data centers, this paper proposes a cooperative operation optimization method of internet data center alliance based on diversified flexibility. Firstly, a cooperative operation structure of alliance considering electricity and carbon trading between members was built, as well as the diversified flexibility model considering carbon capture and power to gas device. Then, a cooperative optimization operation model of alliance was constructed based on Nash bargaining theory, and the allocation of cooperation benefit among members can be realized based on electrical carbon contribution rate. In order to improve solution convergence, the alternating direction multiplier method is improved by penalty factor updating and correction factor modeling method. Finally, the proposed method is applied to the demonstration project of “East Data and West Computing” in Qingyang, Gansu, China, and the trial run results are consistent with the theory analysis. On the one hand, the diversified flexibility and the electricity and carbon trading between members can effectively reduce the total cost and carbon emissions of alliance. On the other hand, the cooperation benefits distribution strategy based on the electrical carbon contribution rate can effectively enhance enthusiasm of members to participate in alliance. The improved alternating direction multiplier method can achieve distributed optimization of alliance, protect the privacy of each member, and has good convergence and scalability.

Beyond the age of hegemony

This paper delves into the origins of modern conflicts amidst the waning dominance of the Western world, particularly the United States. It argues that contemporary tensions stem from this power shift, driven by technological advances and economic convergence. Advocating for a transition to multipolarity and multilateralism, this paper emphasizes the drawbacks of the continued US quest for hegemony and the benefits of global cooperation. It envisions a future characterized by peace and shared development, underpinned by international collaboration and respect for diversity.

Asymmetric Nash bargaining model for operation optimization of multi-integrated energy systems considering peer-to-peer energy trading

Energy interactions across integrated energy systems constitute crucial means to enhance energy efficiency and match supply and demand. However, the cooperative operation and benefit distribution among multiple integrated energy systems still need in-depth exploration. To fill this gap, this paper presents an asymmetric Nash bargaining optimization model for multiple integrated energy systems considering peer-to-peer trading. First, a scheduling model for multi-integrated energy systems is formulated considering carbon trading. Then, the model is incorporated into Nash bargaining framework and transformed into the alliance cost minimization subproblem and peer-to-peer trading payment bargaining subproblem. The bargaining power factor is introduced to measure the contribution of participants in energy sharing. The alternating direction multiplier method is utilized to handle the proposed model. Finally, a case study is carried out to validate the validity of the proposed strategy. The results show that compared with the independent operation mode, the performances of three integrated energy systems in collaborative operation mode are enhanced by 11.7 %, 9.0 %, and 4.8 % respectively. The distributed algorithm can reduce the computation time by 30 % and obtain highly efficient solutions while protecting private information of each participant. This research provides support and practical tools for conducting peer-to-peer transactions of multiple integrated energy systems.

Overcoming barriers to agri-environmental management at landscape scale: Balancing farmer coordination and collaboration with the aid of facilitators and pioneers

Policy instruments that integrate the actions of multiple farmers are of growing interest for improving landscape scale environmental sustainability of agriculture. We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with farmers in south-east England and applied thematic analysis to the responses to perform a qualitative investigation into the combined role of economic, social, and cultural barriers to cooperative environmental management, and identify possible solutions for these barriers. Interviewees recognised environmental benefits of cooperative management, but this was a low priority compared to other management activities, being seen as complex and time-consuming, with uncertainty over direct benefits to participants. External coordination could address this by overseeing information sharing on cooperation benefits and minimising the logistical burden for participants, but given farmer mistrust of outside intervention, these projects will be more successful when collaborating farmers feel they are in control. The efforts of both pioneering farmers able to initiate projects with their peers, and respected facilitators who embody local knowledge and experience, will be vital for balancing coordination and collaboration. Finding the optimal balance between these different elements will vary with local circumstances: policy should have the flexibility to accommodate this. Farmers were wary of connecting with others possessing different farming ideals and thus having to compromise on their management approach. Some respondents sought to bridge these gaps by focusing on aspects of farming identities they shared with their peers, raising the possibility that support targeting these individuals will help develop relationships that foster lasting cultural change for farmer cooperative environmental management.

Research on Multi-Microgrid Electricity–Carbon Collaborative Sharing and Benefit Allocation Based on Emergy Value and Carbon Trading

In response to climate change, the proportion of renewable energy penetration is increasing daily. However, there is a lack of flexible energy transfer mechanisms. The optimization effect of low-carbon economic dispatch in a single park is limited. In the context of the sharing economy, this study proposes a research method for multi-park electricity sharing and benefit allocation based on carbon credit trading. Firstly, a framework for multi-park system operation is constructed, and an energy hub model is established for the electrical, cooling, and heating interconnections with various energy conversions. Secondly, a park carbon emission reduction trading model is established based on the carbon credit mechanism, further forming an optimal economic and environmental dispatch strategy for multi-park electricity sharing. Matlab+Gurobi is used for solving. Then, based on asymmetric Nash bargaining, the comprehensive contribution rate of each park is calculated by considering their energy contribution and carbon emission reduction contribution, thereby achieving a fair distribution of cooperation benefits among multiple parks. The results show that the proposed method can effectively reduce the overall operational cost of multiple parks and decrease carbon emissions, and the benefit allocation strategy used is fair and reasonable, effectively motivating the construction of new energy in parks and encouraging active participation in cooperative operations by all parks.

A Cooperative Game Approach for Optimal Design of Shared Energy Storage System

The energy sector’s long-term sustainability increasingly relies on widespread renewable energy generation. Shared energy storage embodies sharing economy principles within the storage industry. This approach allows storage facilities to monetize unused capacity by offering it to users, generating additional revenue for providers, and supporting renewable energy prosumers’ growth. However, high investment costs and long payback periods often hinder the development of battery storage. To address this challenge, we propose a shared storage investment framework. In this framework, a storage investor virtualizes physical storage equipment, enabling prosumers to access storage services as though they owned the batteries themselves. We adopt a cooperative game approach to incorporate storage sharing into the design phase of energy systems. To ensure a fair distribution of cooperative benefits, we introduce a benefit allocation mechanism based on contributions to energy storage sharing. Utilizing realistic data from three buildings, our simulations demonstrate that the shared storage mechanism creates a win–win situation for all participants. It also enhances the self-sufficiency and self-consumption of renewable energy. This paper provides valuable insights for shared storage investors regarding optimal design and benefit allocation among multiple stakeholders.

Computational evolution of social norms in well-mixed and group-structured populations

Models of indirect reciprocity study how social norms promote cooperation. In these models, cooperative individuals build up a positive reputation, which in turn helps them in their future interactions. The exact reputational benefits of cooperation depend on the norm in place, which may change over time. Previous research focused on the stability of social norms. Much less is known about how social norms initially evolve when competing with many others. A comprehensive evolutionary analysis, however, has been difficult. Even among the comparably simple space of so-called third-order norms, there are thousands of possibilities, each one inducing its own reputation dynamics. To address this challenge, we use large-scale computer simulations. We study the reputation dynamics of each third-order norm and all evolutionary transitions between them. In contrast to established work with only a handful of norms, we find that cooperation is hard to maintain in well-mixed populations. However, within group-structured populations, cooperation can emerge. The most successful norm in our simulations is particularly simple. It regards cooperation as universally positive, and defection as usually negative-unless defection takes the form of justified punishment. This research sheds light on the complex interplay of social norms, their induced reputation dynamics, and population structure.