International Co-operative Alliance Research Articles

Conform and Oppose through Numbers: Quantifying Hybrid Organizations at the International Cooperative Alliance

AbstractCollectives of hybrid organizations have emerged with the aim of promoting the plural goals and values embodied by their member organizations. Doing so, however, often requires simultaneous conformity and opposition to dominant institutional norms, such as those underlying mainstream market activity. We examine how hybrid collectives navigate this ‘conform‐and‐oppose’ tension as they seek to promote their members' hybrid form through quantification – i.e., the use of numbers to label, count, and describe members. Analyzing the case of the International Cooperative Alliance, we identify four interrelated dimensions (valorization, validity, reactivity, and retroaction) through which a hybrid collective can harness quantification to manage differing commitments to market and social goals and values within and beyond the collective – a process we name formative quantification. Core to this process are two filtering mechanisms – validity searching and values queuing – through which a hybrid collective integrates stakeholder perceptions of truth (validity) and value (valorization) to navigate hybrid tensions. Our work extends theory on hybrid tension management to the inter‐organizational level, while shifting the view of organizational quantification from a tool of conformity‐enhancing evaluation towards a collective search for numbers that both conform to and oppose taken‐for‐granted norms.

Osuuskuntien sääntely ja osuuskuntaperiaatteet

The purpose of this article is to assess how the Finnish Cooperatives Act should be devel-oped so that it would better reflect the Cooperative Principles laid down by the Internation-al Cooperative Alliance. There is much evidence showing that cooperatives are important (socio)economic actors, hence, cooperative identity needs to be preserved through legisla-tion. It is, for example, argued that the principles of one member one vote and concern for the community should be enhanced through legislation. Furthermore, equity-based financ-ing instruments that promote investor interests should not be developed further. Instead, attention should be paid to such financing methods that are better aligned with the Coop-erative Principles.

What does the 7th cooperative principle (concern for community) really mean?

AbstractCooperatives are an important organizational form that operate under seven principles (Voluntary and Open Membership; Democratic Member Control; Member Economic Participation; Autonomy and Independence; Education, Training, and Information; Cooperation among Cooperatives; Concern for Community). Concern for Community was the last formally stated cooperative principle in 1995, after decades of discussion within the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). The statement of this “new” principle has provoked questions for cooperatives and the cooperative movement more generally, regarding their definition, scope, and implementation. This article employs a systematic literature review to examine the academic understanding of Concern for Community that has emerged over the past 30 years. The review analyzes 32 academic journal articles from an initial dataset of 438 articles generated by a two-string search (“concern for community” and “cooperative principles”). Five themes are identified: cooperative principles, defining Concern for Community, adoption of Concern for Community, antecedents of Concern for Community, and outcomes. Comparing these themes with the normative instructions proposed by the ICA, the article develops a framework for future research. The review also finds that there is not an established clear difference between Concern for Community and corporate social responsibility in the extant literature, which carries the implication that constructs from the latter can be integrated into the analysis and development of the 7th principle.

The role of digitalization in agricultural cooperatives successful functioning

Relevance. The widespread use of digital opportunities by modern cooperatives in their multifunctional activities is of genuine interest to both scientists and practitioners, in connection with which there are noteworthy scientific publications and analytical (coming from the cooperators themselves) reviews. It is important that cooperative organizations, both small, important for the regional economy, and large, business-oriented, use digital solutions not only to increase their competitiveness (for purely economic purposes), but also to overcome social and environmental problems that arise in rural areas due to biological, climatic and geopolitical challenges.Methods. To achieve the goal outlined in the work (identifying the potential of digitalization in ensuring high performance of cooperatives and, through their activities, sustainable development of rural areas), review and analytical methods based on a rigorous study of the results of theoretical research and reporting materials of large cooperatives were applied. having official websites and publishing their strategic and reporting documents on them. The analysis, primarily from the standpoint of the suitability of international experience for domestic practice, was subject to the information of the International Cooperative Alliance (International Cooperative Alliance, ICA), reflecting the positive practices of digitalization of cooperative activities in various countries of the world, as well as the difficulties faced by agricultural cooperatives in the new (digital) environment. The basis for empirical research and, consequently, for the application of quantitative methods in them was the generalized materials of sociological surveys organized within the boundaries of the subjects of the Ural Federal District, mainly in the Sverdlovsk Region.Results. The main results of the study include the specification of aspects of cooperative activity obtained in its process, in which digitalization is especially important and promising, as well as those that are preferable for implementation in the previous (traditional for cooperatives) forms. Of no less importance is the designation of the main problems and difficulties that stand in the way of creating a full-fledged digital space directly for agricultural cooperatives as a result of the peculiarities of agricultural production, the specifics of the conditions of rural life, the uniqueness of rural areas (their position and characteristics). As such, they noted, firstly, the limited investment opportunities of cooperatives in the creation and development of digital infrastructure facilities in the countryside, secondly, the digital divide (different preparation of villagers for the use of digital technologies), thirdly, some contradictions between modern (digital) formats of cooperative activities and the classical principles of its organization.

Historical Background of the Overview in the Co-operatives

This contributed to their success and spread to other co-operatives around the world. But profoundly transformed the traditional producer/ consumer relationship and created a pathway for small and large-scale communities based economic and social development. Originally founded by co-operative organizations from 12 countries, today over 200 national co-operative organizations representing 92 nations belong to the ICA: the apex organization of all national co-operative movements. Henry David Thoreau the pioneering Boston reformer was preparing to build a cabin on Walden Pond, Robert Owen (1771–1858) was a social reformer and a pioneer of the cooperative movement. Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers, (RCEP) founded in 1844, is usually considered the first successful cooperative enterprise, Another milestone in the continued expansion of the co-operative movement came only 51 years later with the establishment of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) in 1895. Co-operative Movement acquired structure and shape with the British enactment of the Cooperative Credit Societies Act, 1904. The research study revealed that the fishery co-operative societies.

Ideology in the Development of Latvian Co-operatives from the 19th Century to 1934

In this paper I will examine the ideology or the basic ideas upon which the co-operative movement in Latvia developed from its beginnings to 1934. The notion of co-operatives in Latvia entered mainly via literary sources in the early 19th Century. In particular, the translation into Latvian of the works of such people as the social reformist Heinrich Zschokke, the social reformer Johann Friedrich Oberlin and others. The ideas of the German co-operators Hermann Schulze-Delitzsch and Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen also had a lasting impact on the development of Latvian co-operatives from the second half of the 19th Century. During the interwar period of Latvian independence, such Latvian writers as Vilis Siliņš and Klāvs Lorencs, who had gained their experience of co-operatives abroad, were influential in the development of Latvian co-operatives in the 1920s. In addition, many books and pamphlets on co-operation were translated into Latvian and published during this period. These included the writings of Charles Gide from France, Johann Friedrich Schär and D'Henry Faucherre from Switzerland, Albin Johansson and Anders Hedberg from Sweden and Emma Freundlich from Austria, as well as others. Many new co-operative ideas were brought back to Latvia after Latvian participation at meetings of the International Co-operative Alliance and similar organisations, as well as attendance by Latvian co-operators at the International Co-operative Summer School held by the International Co-operative Alliance. After the coup d’état in 1934, the co-operative movement became an instrument of the state and fulfilled the instructions from the state. In general terms, it can said that the intellectual impulses from Western Europe motivated and activated the formation and development the Latvian co-operative movement, especially in the interwar period to 1934.

Demystifying the Sixth Co-operative Principle: Interplay between Framework and Digital Era on Growth in Deposit Taking Co-operatives in Kenya

Co-operatives are indispensable in economic development worldwide. The World Bank, International Co-operative Alliance and International Labor Organization acknowledge co-operatives role in fighting poverty and promoting equity. The guidelines through which co-operatives put their ethics, values and beliefs into practice are embodied in co-operative principles. However, although the sixth principle emphasizes co-operation among co-operatives at local, national, regional and international levels, it is yet to bepracticed adequately due to limited understanding. This paper seeks to demystify the sixth co-operative principle by examining the effect of the interplay between the co-operative framework and digital era on the growth of Deposit Taking co-operatives in Kenya. It is anchored on co-operative socialistic school of thought by Marxist Lerin. The theory states that co-operatives are social enterprises aimed at transforming societies by removing the ills of capitalism through co-operative ethics of self-help and solidarity. Quantitative secondary data from SACCOs Regulatory Authority (SASRA) data base in 175 Deposit Taking co-operatives using cross-sectional research design and census sampling technique is used. Data were analyzed with the aid of binary logistic regression. The findings indicate that the interplay between co-operative framework and digital era accelerates co-operation among co-operatives (p values all <0.05). In addition, it improves service to members and increases co-indicators that lead to increase in co-operation among co-operatives, hence enhancing service to members and co- , were computer hardware, software and skills. Other co-operative framework indicators identified were co-operative identity, structure, policy and environment. The study recommends to co-operative managers and board to embrace co-operative framework and digital era to accelerate co-operation among cooperatives and provide better services to member leading to co-operative movement's growth.

Cooperatives and the Use of Artificial Intelligence: A Critical View

Digital Transformation (DT) has become an important issue for organisations. It is proven that DT fuels Digital Innovation in organisations. It is well-known that technologies and practices such as distributed ledger technologies, open source, analytics, big data, and artificial intelligence (AI) enhance DT. Among those technologies, AI provides tools to support decision-making and automatically decide. Cooperatives are organisations with a mutualistic scope and are characterised by having participatory cooperative governance due to the principle of democratic control by the members. In a context where DT is here to stay, where the dematerialisation of processes can bring significant advantages to any organisation, this article presents a critical reflection on the dangers of using AI technologies in cooperatives. We base this reflection on the Portuguese cooperative code. We emphasise that this code is not very different from the ones of other countries worldwide as they are all based on the Statement of Cooperative Identity defined by the International Cooperative Alliance. We understand that we cannot stop the entry of AI technologies into the cooperatives. Therefore, we present a framework for using AI technologies in cooperatives to avoid damaging the principles and values of this type of organisations.

How to study the co-operative contribution to sustainable development

The purpose of this study is to develop research instruments that enable analysis of the contribution of co-operatives to sustainable development. We achieve this by posing three research questions that explore the links between co-operative principles (CPs) and sustainable development goals (SDGs). Data obtained using qualitative methods guided the development of a quantitative survey tool designed to systematically measure the contribution of co-operatives to sustainable development (RQ1). This study also provides empirical evidence of a strong alignment between CPs and SDGs (RQ2). Whereas earlier studies began with forms of wealth and/or SDGs and connected them to CPs, this study contributes to the knowledge by articulating how co-operatives, as a movement, contribute to all SDGs by operationalising CPs 1-3 and 5-7 agreed by the International Cooperative Alliance. Finally, this study found a high level of support within the co-operative movement for the SDG framework (RQ3).

Book review: Morris Altman, Anthony Jensen, Akira Kurimoto, Robby Tulus, Yashavantha Dongre and Seungkwon Jang (Eds.): Waking the Asian Pacific Co-operative Potential

“Is it possible to identify a regional cooperative model (or models) of the Asia Pacific region?” With 23 case studies across 11 countries and four cooperative sectors (agricultural cooperatives, consumer cooperatives, credit cooperatives and worker cooperatives), the 44 authors of "Waking the Asian Pacific Co-operative Potential" boldly try to answer this question. This voluminous book with around 400 pages-a valuable fruit of a long and collective adventure of cooperative researchers in the Asia-Pacific region-was stimulated and constructed by dynamics around regional conferences of the International Cooperative Alliance Asia-Pacific Committee on Cooperative Research (ICAAP CCR).

Bridging co-operation’s communication gap: The Statement on the Co-operative Identity, the sociology of co-operative education’s shifting terrain, and the problem of public opinion

• Inward and upward educational biases limit public awareness of co-operatives in Canada. • International Co-operative Alliance’s recent educational directives are contradictory. • The Statement on the Co-operative Identity stresses an educational pivot toward the public. • The Statement ’s Guidance Notes focus mostly on internal co-operative education. • Mixed messages distract from media engagement and delay efforts to build public awareness. This article focuses on co-operatives’ faltering position in 21st century Canadian public opinion. I argue co-operative education’s introverted bias toward ‘boardrooms and classrooms’ neglects public opinion; and that shifting international norms and historical conditions have reinforced this retreat from mass media and the public sphere. A co-operative communication gap of international significance is the result. Cultural hegemony theory and qualitative methods are used to develop the argument. Historical analysis first demonstrates that educational conventionalism dangerously discounts the contemporary cultural environment’s threat to mutualism. It is argued that the International Co-operative Alliance’s (ICA) contradictory doctrine has deepened normative confusion about co-operative education’s scope, further delaying media activism and popular education. Textual analysis illustrates this contradiction in key documents. These include the Report of the ICA Commission on Co-operative Principles (1967), the Statement on the Co-operative Identity (1995), and the Guidance Notes to the Co-operative Principles (2016). Finally, conjunctural analysis shows that contradictory tendencies inside and outside international mutualism reshaped an inward-turning pedagogy from 1995 to 2016. Findings thus extend our understanding of the communication gap by accounting for barriers to popular educational innovation, both conceptual and strategic.

A ‘member-owned business’ approach to the classification of co-operatives mutuals.

Co-operatives are defined according to co-operative principles and an identity statement endorsed by the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA). The article argues that this is too much taken for granted, and that more work needs to be done. It provides a brief history of the co-operative principles, showing how the ICA has codified and periodically revised them. It discusses several difficulties with this approach and suggests an alternative based on the concept of member-owned businesses. Three main stakeholders are identified and the different types of co-operative are put into a comprehensive classificatory system. Co-operatives are placed firmly in the category of ‘private sector’ rather than in categories that privilege the social over the economic. It suggests co-operative federations should adopt a member-ownership framework, extend a welcome to other types of member-owned business, and through this approach align their membership and business strategies.

Co-operative values and principles: A commentary.

This paper reviews the co-operative values and principles in the light of values and principles adopted at the 1995 International Co-operative alliance centennial congress. It concludes that the next step for the ICA is to work out the implications for co-operative practice and that if understood in their richness of meaning, the values and principles should provide a firm foundation on which to start.

“Too many cooperatives and too few cooperativists”: the consumer cooperative movement in Catalonia 1898–1939

ABSTRACT This article charts the evolution of the Catalan Cooperative movement from the creation of the first regional organisation, the Chamber of Catalan and Balearic Cooperatives in 1898, to the end of the Civil War in 1939. It looks at the aims of the Chamber and its successor organisation the Federation of Catalan Cooperatives, as expressed at congresses and in the movement’s press and then analyses the tactics adopted to achieve these and why, in general, they did not enjoy the success that was hoped for. The founders of the Chamber were influenced by movements in other countries, specifically France, Belgium and the United Kingdom and was a member of the International Cooperative Alliance adopting the principles of these including political neutrality and the belief in acting independently of the State and political organisations. It was hoped that Catalan cooperatives would be able to catch up with and match the strength and influence of cooperatives in these countries. However, although the cooperative movement enjoyed spectacular growth during the Civil War, much of the progress that was made by cooperatives was due to circumstance and state intervention rather than due to the movement itself.

A Compliance and Marketing Towards Viability and Sustainability of Multipurpose Cooperative Models

The remarkable contribution of cooperatives to the economic efficiency and stability of countries worldwide has manifested comprehensive development. And multipurpose cooperatives are among the resilient type that is referred to herein (Quilloy et al., 2015). Such achievement is attributed to compliance as a concept and a tactic that is dependent on its implementation (Foorthuis & Bos, 2014). It enabled cooperatives as an economic force while maintaining their civic virtues, unleashing competitive advantage, and improved performance (Zamagni, 2012). Its inherent marketing mindset begins as a people-centered enterprise as described by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA, Battaglia, et al. 2015; Benavides, Ehrenenhard, 2015). These performances were further sustained by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) by its award and recognition program in the Gawad Parangal instituted in 2011. With various economic environments even amidst pandemic, compliance and marketing management strategies are essential to the significant performances of cooperatives. CDA revealed that in 2016, the total operating cooperatives was 19,082, however, only 50% are reporting to CDA. In 2017, operating cooperatives surge to 6.37% and reduced the non-reporting to 51.44%. Operating cooperatives in 2019 increased to 4.33% including 6.25% of the newly registered cooperatives from 2016 onwards. None reporting cooperative increased to 7%. This study investigated the degree of compliance and marketing strategies of multipurpose cooperatives in the Large Millionaire and Billionaire categories. This descriptive-quantitative and qualitative research utilized frequency, percentage, weighted mean chi-square for the statistical treatment. Structured survey and interview results showed a categorical weighted mean of 4.96, an overall mean of 4.93 as to compliance with regulatory provisions. This underwrites the viability and sustainability of the cooperative enterprises' performance evidenced by being an awardee and their unprecedented networth for the past five years.

Институт кооперации: эволюция и современные перспективы

The article examines the history of the development of cooperative forms of management from the standpoint of an evolutionary approach, taking into account the economic, social and legal features of their functioning on the basis of domestic and foreign experience. The historical development of cooperation was explored using archival data, which made it possible to identify the stages of development of cooperation, the institutional environment. The authors consider the institution of cooperation from the perspective of the concept of polarized development, suggesting that clusters in the modern economy repeat the functions of cooperatives. As part of the study, the authors carried out a historical analysis of foreign and domestic experience in the development of the institution of cooperation: the historical stages of development in Russia from 1831 to the present are highlighted: the first stage, 1831-1917; the second stage, 1917-1990; the third stage, 1991 to the present. On the basis of the analysis and systematization of archival data, the authors compared the development of the cooperative movement and the scale of returns from their activities, including on the basis of a study of statistical indicators that were demonstrated by commercial and industrial cooperation. The types and functions of cooperatives in world practice are considered, their role is determined in accordance with the mission of the International Cooperative Alliance. The authors investigated the legislation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Russian Federation in terms of defining the essence and regulation of the activities of cooperatives, which made it possible to identify the difference between the modern form of cooperatives and the historically established one. The authors conclude that entrepreneurs use the modern form of cooperatives in Russia as a tool to reduce the tax burden, and not as a tool for organizing activities, which has confirmed its effectiveness in domestic and world practice. On the basis of archival data, a sample of the subjects of the RSFSR, leading in the number of cooperatives and in the volume of products sold by cooperatives, was made, which formed the basis for mapping. In the article, based on the mapping method, a graphical representation of cooperatives and clusters is made as a modern heir to the cooperative movement (based on archival statistical data: by their number and main indicators of activity by economic regions, territories and regions), which made it possible to identify concentration points in the economic space on the modern map of Russia (Republic of Tatarstan, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Altai Krai, Moscow). Contribution of the authors: The authors contributed equally to this article. The authors declare no conflicts of interests. Contribution of the authors: the authors contributed equally to this article. The authors declare no conflicts of interests.

Sustainability as “Value of Cooperatives”—Can (Wine) Cooperatives Use Sustainability as a Driver for a Brand Concept?

Similar to the number of agricultural cooperatives in the European Union, the number of German wine cooperatives is decreasing. The main purpose of the wine cooperatives is to support the member businesses with the highest possible payouts for their grapes. Wine cooperatives can fulfil this purpose by implementing a differentiation strategy. On the one hand, brands can be used for differentiation. On the other hand, cooperatives can use particular values in the communication with customers that correspond to the target group’s values. Based on the definition of the International Co-operative Alliance, cooperatives are a sustainable form of enterprise. Therefore, the question arises whether it is possible to use sustainability as a value that corresponds to cooperatives as a form of enterprise as well as to a strong societal value that gains importance. Which role does social capital play in the context of social sustainability? The aim of this paper is to shed light on the understanding of brands, to show which cooperative-specific characteristics might pose a challenge to cooperatives in terms of brand management and to examine the understanding of the sustainability construct as well as sustainable management practices applied by wine cooperatives to date. Two exploratory, qualitative studies have been conducted.

The Legacy of Cooperatives among the African Diaspora

According to the International Co-operative Alliance, more than 12 percent of the global population belong to the world’s three million cooperatives. The African diaspora has contributed to this legacy. Many Caribbean people view cooperatives as trustworthy because these institutions put people’s local needs first. Both Haiti and Grenada have deeply embedded cooperative values and identities that are rooted in the ancient African systems of Sol and Susu. The African diaspora has a strong history of organizing solidarity financial economies to counter exclusion in business and society. This article draws on interviews with 138 direct users of cooperative institutions, bankers, and experts. Based on the findings, it argues that the African diaspora has had a key role in cooperative development and that Susu and Sol are the preferred financial institutions because they give people a way to help each other in times of adversity. This research uses the theory of the Black Social Economy to analyze Caribbean cooperators and their use of informal and formal cooperatives to stymie exclusion in business and society. Documenting the Haitian and Grenadian people’s cooperative legacy reveals that the choice of the people of the Black diaspora to politicize their economic solidarity, and this has been a major contribution to the global cooperative movement.

Cooperatives in the Wine Industry: Sustainable Management Practices and Digitalisation

In Europe, cooperatives have a long tradition and are widespread in the agricultural sector. Cooperatives in the wine sector of some EU countries even surpass a market share of more than 50%. In Germany, the first wine cooperative was established in 1868 in the Ahr region. Despite the decline in the number of cooperatives, of members and of the vineyard area cultivated by cooperatives, wine cooperatives are still accountable for roughly a quarter of the German vineyard area. Due to developments in the field of sustainability and digitalisation, cooperatives are facing increasing pressure. Based on the definition of cooperatives by the International Co-operative Alliance, one can conclude that cooperatives are a sustainable form of enterprise. A previous study from 2019 showed that sustainability and digitalisation were not mentioned by cooperative management as important topics in the competitive analysis. Also, sustainable management practices have not been analysed explicitly for wine cooperatives so far. We therefore consider sustainability and digitalisation in the context of the strategic management of wine cooperatives. Our article does not aim to show further development in the areas of sustainability and digitalisation but rather to unveil existing managerial practices in order to provide a basis for management decisions. As only limited knowledge exists, a qualitative approach was chosen. Interviews were conducted with the management of wine cooperatives (n = 13) and representatives of the regional and national cooperative associations, which in turn represent the wine cooperatives as a whole (n = 4). A data content analysis was performed. The results describe state of the art of sustainable management practices and digitalisation in wine cooperatives. Even if the understanding of sustainability and digitalisation is quite similar among the respondents, the operationalisation in the cooperatives differs strongly. However, it is clear that innovation, adaptability and sustainability are strongly interlinked. Options for future research and the limitations of the study are provided as well.

A influência dos valores fundamentais do cooperativismo para a efetiva gestão democrática das cooperativas: um modelo de gestão próprio para o exercício da responsabilidade social da empresa

De acuerdo a la Declaración sobre la Identidad Cooperativa emitida por la Alianza Cooperativa Internacional, el Principio de Gestión Democrática traduce la participación activa de los miembros en la vida y gestión de la cooperativa. En este sentido, la Gestión Democrática deriva de la idea esencial de que cada socio presenta un voto en el seno de las asambleas. Por ello, buscase, por este trabajo, examinar la esencia de la axiología de la cooperación, verificando la efectiva influencia de los valores fundamentales del Cooperativismo en los procesos internos de gestión. El objetivo central es evidenciar la propiedad de los valores de auto ayuda y solidaridad como marco moral de orientación del orden económico, enmarcando el sustrato de responsabilidad social en el ejercicio de las actividades empresariales. Para ello, se va a utilizar el método deductivo-inductivo de abordaje, con empleo de la investigación directa e indirecta.
 Recibido: 04 septiembre 2017Aceptado: 20 noviembre 2017