Cooperative Experience Research Articles

Defending and expanding industrial democracy and worker cooperatives in an age of neoliberal globalisation

ABSTRACT Neoliberalism has reinforced inequality, environmental collapse, famine, refugee crises, supply chain vulnerabilities and more. We agree with Gibson-Graham (2006) that the core of the issue for a post-capitalist politics is to overcome the sense of the inevitability of the dominant system of political economy. With this argument in mind, we analyse the diversity, innovativeness, and resilience of two specific manufacturing alternatives to neoliberal capitalism: the Norwegian industrial democracy and the Mondragon Cooperative Experience. The cases show that each example arises from a unique history, environment, and has unique structures. This diversity shows that there are many paths to workplace democracy, such systems are capable of innovation, and they are internationally competitive. Our comparison also reveals that no successful equilibrium is ever static. Scaling (up or out) to secure market share presents a challenge potentially existential for both models. Reviewing their efforts for meeting these challenges conclude our analysis.

Innovative Strategy for The Improvement of Competences in the Area of Science

Objective: To design and implement a cooperative experience in the higher education institution in a subject of the Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering carried out over five academic years. Theoretical Framework: Higher education today calls for innovation processes that facilitate the improvement of student learning. Method: A learning experience based on the Kolb cycle and the seminar was designed and implemented. The evaluation of the experience was carried out using the Learning Oriented Assessment (LOA) model, together with a questionnaire compiling the evaluations expressed by the students, according to the Likert scale. Results and Discussion: The results revealed that students consider that the key to learning development lies in the distribution of tasks and the ability to work actively and autonomously. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of the study are discussed, providing higher education institutions with a learning strategy to improve competences in the area of science through innovation tools. Originality/Value: This research highlights innovative tools that favour the development of the cognitive skills of analysis, critical thought, internalization of concepts and consolidation of part of the contents of the subject, without forgetting the communicative skills and self-learning of the student.

CO-OPERATORS PERCEPTION TOWARDS COOPERATIVES INVOLVEMENT IN EXTENSION SERVICE DELIVERY IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA.

The study examined Co-operators' perception towards cooperatives' involvement in agricultural extension delivery. Multi-stage sampling process was used to select 337 respondents sampled through the use of questionnaires. Descriptive statistical tools were used to analyse data collected while Logit regression was used to analyze the hypothesis. The results showed that 93.2% of the co-operators had a positive attitude towards cooperatives' involvement in extension delivery, while only 6.8% did not. The likelihood ratio or model chi-square was significant (chi-square = 95.49; df = 8; P<0.050) which indicated that the independent variables had a significant influence on co-operators’ perception of the involvement of cooperatives in agricultural extension delivery. Based on the result, educational qualification (b=-1.274), farming experience (b=-0.601), income (b=1.065), cooperative experience (b=-0.620) and co-operators attitude (b=-0.191) had a significant relationship with the co-operators perception towards cooperative involvement in extension service delivery. It was concluded that most co-operators have a positive perception toward cooperative involvement in extension service delivery; hence they are willing to accept extension programmes channelled through cooperative societies. The researchers recommended that co-operators should be trained to build their capacity in rendering extension services.

Characterizing Computer Aided Design Mastery: What differences exist between expert and novice users?

The goal of this work is to characterize “expert” student CAD use and examine whether differences from novices are related to factors such as gender, seniority, co-op experience, and spatial ability. Participants were recruited from a second-year mechanical engineering course and extra-curricular engineering technical teams. The groups were Novice (Year 2, not on a team, n=13), Junior (Year 2, on a team, n=7), Senior (Year 3+, on a team, n=12). Participants completed a spatial task (PSVT:R, Purdue Spatial Visualization Test) and a CAD task while being asked to describe their process (verbal protocol analysis). Groups were similar in gender composition. The spatial task (PSVT:R) performance was not related to gender, year of study, or use of CAD on co-op. Spatial performance was related to team participation. Two major differences in process were coded. One was references to past work. Seniors were more likely to reference co-op experience than Novices (p=0.03), Juniors were more likely to reference academic work compared to Seniors (p=0.04). The other significant difference was the method used for construction. Seniors were less likely to use a “cut away” approach to making their part than Novices (p=0.004) or Juniors (p=0.002). Seniors were more likely to trace geometry and extrude their part compared to Novices (p=0.004). The difference in referenced prior work presents an opportunity for instructors as many more students participate in co-op than in extra-curricular teams. This could be leveraged by encouraging students to contextualize learning from co-op or by creating industrially-relevant assignments. The difference in approach to creating the object suggests that CAD instructors could be introducing students to higher level tools earlier. This could be done through assignments that authentically demand more complicated geometries.

Audit Committee Characteristics and Financial Reporting Quality: Malaysia Cooperative Experience

This study investigates the relationship between audit committee composition, audit committee meeting, audit committee independent with the financial reporting quality among cooperative society in Malaysia. A structured questionnaire was distributed to audit committee member, board members and the stakeholders of cooperative throughout Malaysia. The data analysis from 149 completed responses revealed that audit committee composition, audit committee meeting, audit committee independent proved to have a significant impact on the financial reporting quality among the cooperative society in Malaysia. The finding of this study not only contributed to literature in exploring determinant financial reporting quality of cooperative, but they also provide insights to the governing bodies and the cooperative stakeholders to make policy decisions for improving financial reporting quality. This present study, however, has limitations due to the use of closed questionnaires that might not capture further information completely.

Los principios cooperativos y las prácticas comunitarias de los socios de la cooperativa de cafeticultores Ñu-Xahoi

The objective of this investigation is to identify the cooperative principles, established in the General Law of Cooperative Societies of Mexico, that the members of the Ñu-Xahoi cooperative implement in their organizational processes; as well as deepen their community practices, linked to the social and solidarity economy, specifically, the social organization, community assemblies are resumed; as well as the tasks, in order to know the contribution they have had to the strengthening of the same cooperative. The importance of the work lies in making visible the cooperative experience of coffee producers from the Sierra Otomí-Tepehua of Hidalgo, whose members operate in a scenario of very restrictive socioeconomic and environmental conditions, where poverty and social backwardness predominate. The study method used for the research is ethnographic, which implies in-depth field work, based on participant observation, semi-structured interviews and directed interviews; as well as complementary instruments: photographs and maps. Among the first findings, it is found that the Ñu-Xahoi cooperative implements some cooperative principles established by law, such as freedom of association and voluntary withdrawal of members, democratic administration, promotion of ecological culture, etc. At the same time, it takes up elements of their community life, expressed in democratic, supportive and self-management practices that contribute to the strengthening of the organization itself, which means that the Ñu-Xahoi cooperative is part of a social and solidarity economy experience.

DESIGNING LET ME SURVIVE 2D MULTIPLAYER SURVIVAL ADVENTURE GAME ON WINDOWS PLATFORM

"Let Me Survive" is a two-dimensional survival adventure game specifically designed for Windows operating systems. The game was created using the Unity 2D game engine, which is a well-known platform used to create computer games. In "Let Me Survive," players are presented with various challenges to defeat all enemies in each level, with the goal of reaching the end. The game also utilizes the multiplayer feature available in some games, allowing players to play together to complete each level. This feature provides a cooperative experience for players to work together with other players.

PRODUCTIVE PRAGMATISM: Industrial democracy under neoliberal capitalist conditions

This essay presents two case examples of the context and practices of industrial democracy: Norwegian industrial democracy exemplified with the Aker case and the Mondragon Cooperative Experience (a term Mondragon often uses to describe its whole structure and history). The comparison illustrates the necessity of combining general systems theory, the distinction between political and socio-technical participation, and the role of ethos, worldview, and heedfulness in understanding how these enterprises operate and manage ongoing challenges. Our central motive is to promote the expansion of organizational democracy within the global industrial system as a superior and more humane alternative to global neoliberal capitalism. These are not simple comparisons because these systems have different histories, contexts, and dynamics. In making the comparison, we show that the constant process of balancing and rebalancing political and socio-technical participation is a key dynamic in keeping such democratic systems viable. We also show that enterprise ethos and worldview, far from being an add-on or a “soft” dimension, is the bedrock on which such systems rely. After making this general presentation, we put these systems in motion to show how they address the challenges of downsizing and strategic planning. Downsizing and strategic planning show both systems’ ability to face unexpected events and effectively cope with their potential consequences. We conclude that the differences between the cases show there is no one right way to create democratic organizations, but that paths exist and remain open for many different versions of these more humane and successful industrial organizations so necessary for creating sustainable societies.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF CASSAVA FARMERS' PARTICIPATION IN USAID/MARKETS II PROGRAMME IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

This study analyzed socio-economic determinants of cassava farmers' participation in USAID/MARKET II programme in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling procedure was used to select 90 USAID farmers. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (Tobit regression analysis). The result indicated that USAID farmers had high participation ( = 2.6) in the stages of proramme development. Result showed that mean ages of USAID farmers was 40.5 years, a good proportion (58.9%) acquired secondary education, mean years of farming experience of 8 years, mean farm sizes of 1.8 hectares, mean annual cassava income of N233, 855.6 mean credit of N116, 667.00 and mean cooperative experience of 3.4 years. Tobit regression results showed that coefficients for age (β = 0.0579), education (β = 0.75980), farming experience (β = 0.0743), farm size (β = -0.6078), farm income (β = 0.2784), amount of credit (β = 0.5929), membership of cooperative societies (0.5745) and farm output (β = 0.2643) were determinants of farmers’ participation in the stages of programme development. The study therefore recommends integration of farmers in the design of any agricultural intervention programme that support income diversification of farmers, group formation access to education, credit and land to increase farm output for effective participation in the stages programme development.

Applied Gamification Using Virtual Escape Rooms: Case studies in Entrepreneurial and Anatomy Classes

Gamification can be applied to a wide spectrum of contexts and disciplines, to provide a rich and experiential learning opportunity for multiple cohorts of students. Escape rooms have potential as an enjoyable and challenging collaborative learning environment, but they require extensive organisation and resources. The use of Google Forms to create a virtual escape room addresses these difficulties but provides a comparable cooperative experience. This paper presents the experiences and recommendations of educators in two third level institutions that implemented Google Form-based virtual escape rooms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Retraction Note: Structural equation model analysis of information systems in cooperative organizations: focusing the role of cooperative experience and information process mechanism

Retraction Note: Structural equation model analysis of information systems in cooperative organizations: focusing the role of cooperative experience and information process mechanism

Translation as a Course: A View of Indonesian EFL Postgraduate Students’ Attitude

The objective of this research is to investigate the Indonesian EFL Postgraduate students’ attitudes towards the course of translation. The researcher used a case study method by managing observation, interview, and questionnaire to collect the data. The questionnaire contained 30 items concerning students’ attitudes in terms of behavioral, cognitive, and emotional aspects. The participants in this present study were 11 students of the English Education Department of Postgraduate degree at a public university in Banten Province, Indonesia. The results indicate that the students hold positive attitudes toward the existence and the learning process of the translation course. These can be verified from the results of questionnaires which show that the average scores of positive attitudes for behavioral, cognitive, and emotional aspects consecutively are 74.3%, 80.6%, and 84.4%. These positive attitudes are not only affected by the lecturer-student interaction, but also by the cooperative learning atmosphere and experience that the lecturer and students manage while having a teaching and learning process of translation. Since attitudes can be modified by the experience, the effective translation teaching and learning process can encourage students to be more positive towards the translation course they are involved in.

Effectiveness and Safety of Elevated Dosages of Nitrous Oxide on Behavior Management in Pediatric Dentistry

To determine if administering a higher dosage of nitrous oxide (>50%), with a nasal hood in pediatric dental restorative procedures, can allow for a safe and more cooperative experience for the pediatric patient as measured by observable adverse reactions and the Frankl Behavior Rating Scale. A retrospective chart review was completed of 200 patients total, 100 for each nitrous oxide (N2O) dosage group (≤50% vs >50%). Adverse reactions and The Frankl Behavior Rating Scale during pediatric restorative procedures with N2O were compared between the two dosage groups. There were few adverse reactions for both nitrous oxide groups (≤50% vs >50%) and there was no statistical difference in the Frankl Behavior Rating Scale for each group. Patients given more than 50% of nitrous oxide were not found to have an increase in adverse events. Higher concentrations of nitrous oxide (>50%) were not found to be associated with a better behavior score when completing pediatric restorative procedures.

TRANSFORMATION OF EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS THROUGH CO-OP EXPERIENCES

The structure of co-operative programs gives students the opportunity to transform employability skills. Using a proposed conceptual framework and inspirationfrom Mezirow’s Transformative Learning Theory, this paper analyzes four engineering students in varying disciplines across the three contexts that a co-op experience provides: pre co-op school setting, co-op work placement and the post co-op school setting. Using reflection and by adapting to their settings, these students transformed their communication, organization/ time management and initiative/ responsibility skills. Analyzing these skills and experiences against the framework, we can see how the details and specifics of the transformation varies for each student; however, each student needs to experience each stage for successful transformation. Each of the stages then feeds into and helps further the skills as it changes.

Collective Currents: Exploring Sustainability through a Collaborative and Interactive Installation

Abstract Water issues in the western United States include a long history of struggle, controversy and politics. Collaboration and compromise are required to achieve desirable outcomes in water quality and water rights. Collective Currents is an interactive art installation, developed collaboratively by a computer engineer and a multimedia artist, that explores the idea of cooperative experience in both literal and conceptual ways and creates an environment that makes reference to and engages the viewer to think about our ability to understand and solve environmental issues, specifically water quality and conservation, through collaboration.

Shared Knowledge and Social Messages in New Collective Communities of the 21st Century: A Generation Perspective

ABSTRACT The present qualitative research examined four new urban intentional collective communities in Israel as generational units, as defined in Mannheim’s (1970) theory of generations. The findings indicate that the cooperative experience of most of the group members in their rural collective communities of origin had a notable effect on the lifestyles in the urban communities they founded. The results also reveal that the group members’ interpretation of significant personal biographical events or collective memories shaped the group identity and consciousness into a new generational unit with a social message. The study contributes to the empirical research of the theory of generations. It also illuminates how intentional communities arise and oppose current trends in an era of neoliberalism and capitalist economy.

About some trends in the development of agricultural cooperatives in Canada

The article presents the results of the analysis and generalization of the experience of the development of agricultural cooperatives in Canada (a country with a centuries-old history of agricultural cooperation), its successful cooperative practices at various historical stages (including the present). Within the framework of the presented study, a number of important scientific conclusions were obtained, including: 1) generalization of trends in the evolution of Canadian farms (as active participants in agricultural cooperation) and characteristics of their current state; 2) specification of technological and organizational innovations undertaken by Canadian agricultural cooperatives to strengthen their competitive position; 3) identification of promising trends in the development of agricultural cooperation in Canada, reflecting both the essential transformations of the phenomenon under consideration (agricultural cooperative), and fluctuations of its environment; 4) determining the importance of using foreign (Canadian) cooperative experience for the development of agricultural cooperation in Russia. The presented material is distinguished by the novelty of approaches, the adequacy of the research tools used, and the representativeness of the statistical data used. The factors of the effective functioning of Canadian agricultural cooperatives scientifi cally substantiated in the study, as well as the basic principles of their modern models, are advisable to use (as international experience) in the development of the domestic system of agricultural cooperation in a modern (global, mobile, unstable, unpredictable) environment, taking into account its new challenges. The conclusions obtained in the course of the work and the conclusions proposed by the authors are of both scientific interest (for further theoretical and empirical research) and practical significance (for specialists interested in the creation and successful functioning of domestic agricultural cooperatives).

Cooperative visuomotor learning experience with peer enhances adaptability to others

ABSTRACT Skilled musicians can improvise with first-time partners. Thus, the question arises how the adaptability to others can emerge through the mutual motor learning experience. We developed a two-person cooperative visuomotor task; an object was connected through virtual springs with the cursors controlled by the subjects. We instructed paired subjects to jointly control the object toward a specified target under a virtual force field. Experimental results suggest that a novice subject who was trained with a skill-level matched peer in the Learning phase showed significantly better adaptability to others in the successive Evaluation phase. Variety of the cooperative experience with others in the visuomotor task probably gave rise to high adaptability in the novice-to-novice group subjects, while the learning experience with an expert did not. We conclude that the motor skills acquired during mutual interactions with peers can lead to have an ability to tune the motor commands subject to the dynamics of the external environment and the behavior of the partners.

FARMERS' PERCEPTION REGARDING CLIMATE CHANGE IN SOUTHERN TURKEY: THE CASE OF MERSIN PROVINCE

Climate change is responsible for the negative effects in human life causing a decrease in agricultural products, biodiversity, soil fertility, and forest areas. In contrast, climate change increases plant diseases and pests, the cost of agricultural production and risk in food security. This study aims to determine whether climate change is a phenomenon via the analysis of the perceptions of the farmers in the Mersin province conducted over 251 questionnaires. Farmers primarily perceive climate change over production costs and the reduction in yield. Moreover, they are highly aware of its relation to natural events such as floods, drought, and storms. Nevertheless, inappropriate agricultural practices also lead to the negative consequences caused by climate change. In this respect, this study revealed that farmers with high cooperative partnerships and experience perceived climate change significantly.

Promoting the Internationalization of Speech-Language Pathology Education: The Bulgarian-American Cooperative Experience

Several collaborative projects between South-West University in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, and 8 universities in the USA have worked well to improve the overall competence of students in speech-language pathology programs and practicing clinicians to better meet the needs of individuals with fluency and voice disorders. The US Fulbright Senior Specialist and EU Erasmus+ exchange programs serve as effective instruments that provide systemic and long-term impact supporting innovation and fostering contemporary teaching methods. These international projects prepare students and faculty succeed in a global, multicultural society, and in doing so, advance speech-language pathology as an evidence-based allied health science discipline.