Member Ownership Research Articles

Sentiment and success potential of farmers’ producer organizations: A systematic literature review

Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) are a viable alternative to cooperative farming, offering a commercialization model and improved income for smallholders. However, their adoption is often met with mixed sentiment among farmers, who lack capital, technical expertise, and institutional innovations. This study aims to explore the sentiments related to the adoption and success of FPOs in establishing a beneficial platform for small and marginal farmers, using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), sentiment and thematic analysis. The findings suggest that FPOs can enhance marketing strategies and agricultural productivity, but their impact on agriculture is case-sensitive. Cooperatives, characterized by member ownership and bottom-up development approaches, are essential factors in the context. A programmatic and comprehensive understanding of FPOs can help to develop a better agricultural and allied business ecosystem for diversified categories of farmers. Study aims to assess the sentiments and success potential of FPOs under an abundance of small and marginal farmers, comparing them to cooperative and contract farming legislation, to encourage a sustainable agribusiness ecosystem in India.

Abstract B080: UC Davis Center for Advancing Cancer Health Equity: A framework for community-led cancer health interventions

Abstract Many racial/ethnic groups in the US experience cancer health disparities, contributing to higher cancer incidence and cancer-related deaths compared to other groups. These are driven by a combination of biological and social determinants of health that affect cancer development and care response across the cancer health continuum. Underserved communities in California, many of which are communities of color, experience combinations of these factors that result in a unique landscape of barriers to cancer care. Because of this, interventions to remove these barriers cannot follow a one-fits-all approach. There is a critical need for community-directed interventions that reflect the cultural and social values of the members of a specific community to effectively identify and eliminate barriers to care. Through the UC Davis Center for Advancing Cancer Health Equity (CACHE), we have developed an infrastructure to design and implement community-directed interventions as a partnership between community members and the cancer research community at UC Davis. CACHE was launched in 2022 with the purpose of conducting community-engaged research to implement multi-level interventions for cancer health equity. CACHE is focused on placing underserved communities located in UC Davis’ catchment area at its center through community member ownership and leadership of the center’s research decision-making process. In this initial phase, the center recruited health professionals and community members throughout Northern California to participate in focus groups that inform the development of the center’s mission and vision, and name. Through these focus groups, our center identified community values and terminology that helped to guide and set expectations for its goals, actions and trust-building with underserved communities. The center establishes lasting community relationships through the development of task forces, whose goal is to identify community cancer health priorities to address through research. Given the significant cancer health disparities for American Indian and Alaska Natives in California, the first task force CACHE established is focused on Native and Indigenous cancer health. It consists of both academic researchers and community and Tribal leaders. Our task force began a cancer health needs assessment in partnership with multiple Tribal Nations and non-profit health center Northern Valley Indian Health. Native and Indigenous community conversations have uncovered cancer health and prevention education, transportation, and medical and research communities’ trustworthiness as barriers. We are now working to expand our understanding of these barriers for research interventions leading to improve Native and Indigenous cancer health. Ultimately, the goal of CACHE and its task forces is to develop community-led interventions to eliminate cancer care barriers in partnership with communities, and move towards cancer health equity for all. Citation Format: Nicole B. Halmai, Sophie Barbu, Angelica Rolon, Inigo Verduzco Gallo, Nanci Chavarria Villa, Guadalupe Carvajal, Luis G. Carvajal- Carmona. UC Davis Center for Advancing Cancer Health Equity: A framework for community-led cancer health interventions [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B080.

Effectiveness of Financial Cooperatives as Cost-Effective Models for Financing Rural Economies in Nigeria

Financial cooperatives, commonly known as credit unions or savings and credit cooperative societies (SACCOs), have emerged as integral components of Nigeria's financial landscape, especially in rural areas. This paper explores the effectiveness of financial cooperatives as cost- effective models for financing rural economies. The study delves into their structure, benefits, challenges, and impact on rural communities, with a focus on Nigeria's unique context. Financial cooperatives, characterized by member ownership and control, aim to provide affordable financial services to low-income populations. In Nigeria, where rural areas face challenges in accessing traditional banking services, financial cooperatives have been promoted as a sustainable approach to extend financial inclusivity. SACCOs leverage member savings to offer loans at reasonable interest rates, fostering cost-effectiveness compared to other microfinance models. The paper also discusses the structure of the rural economy in Nigeria, its challenges, and potential policy pathways for fostering rural economic growth. The components of financial cooperatives, such as membership, governance, savings mobilization, lending methodology, and regulation, are examined. The study emphasizes the significance of good governance in ensuring cooperatives act in the best interests of their members. It also discusses the positive impact of financial cooperatives on rural communities, offering accessibility, affordability, and contributing to community development. In conclusion, financial cooperatives present a promising model for rural economic development in Nigeria. The paper provides recommendations for enhancing their effectiveness, emphasizing collaboration with regulatory bodies, targeted initiatives for financial inclusion, capacity building, technological adoption, diversification of financial products, community

An exploration of the relationship between member openness and perceived organisational openness at a particular point in the co-operative lifecycle

Co-operatives are essentially relational entities which are jointly co-created by members and the co-operative. This relational co-creation is particularly important in the founding years of the co-operative and at points of crisis and regeneration in the co-operative lifecycle. This paper explores the relationship between member openness towards relational engagement and their perception of the co-operative’s openness to that input (perceived openness) in a credit union context, prior to a major period of restructuring. Perceived openness is examined from two distinct perspectives, that is, awareness of right of involvement as owners (which in this paper we equated with co-operative member ownership structure) and possibility of involvement or perception of organisation openness (which in this paper we equated with co-operative process). It was found in the multivariate Logistic model that possibility rather than right of involvement is related to member openness. This suggests that the process of co-operation in a co-operative plays a greater role than the organisational structure of that co-operative in facilitating member input. This is a significant finding and suggests that greater attention needs to be given to process and openness in co-operative research and practice. It also suggests that co-operatives cannot just draw on their member ownership structure, in building member engagement at time of crisis.

Creating collective solidarity: Insights from the development and process evaluation of civic action for refugee empowerment in Cincinnati.

Our goal was to describe the development, progress, and functioning of Civic Action for Refugee Empowerment in Cincinnati (CARE: Cincinnati) as a model for community-based participatory research (CBPR) with refugees. We conducted a participatory evaluation to assess our collective ability to employ shared power and equitable decision-making, and to facilitate structures that build member ownership and solidarity. We identify principles and processes that can be used by researchers, practitioners, and activists interested in working toward the creation of more equitable community spaces for refugees. Twelve refugee research team members representing seven different countries and ranging in age from 16 to 75 engaged in the participatory evaluation and are coauthors of this manuscript. All participants were interviewed by an external researcher, who transcribed and anonymized responses. Academic researchers first developed preliminary themes and then the entire research team verified, prioritized, and expanded themes. The experiences of refugee team members illustrate an iterative process of reflection and action that are both personally satisfying and encourage work for deeper change. The themes further illustrate that the CBPR process aided in developing a sense of solidarity among diverse team members and that the dynamic and participatory organization of the group fostered equitable and creative decision-making. Our participatory evaluation suggests that future research partnering with refugees that brings together diverse teams to share power will not only improve research quality and dissemination, but will also serve as a tangible benefit for refugee team members. The shared reflection, analysis, and action process inherent in the research process are individually motivating to refugee team members and foster possibility for transformative change. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

권위주의적 리더십이 창의성에 미치는 영향

Many organizations are striving for the continuous survival and development of the organization in a complex and unpredictable environment. In particular, as the creative performance of members is the basis of organizational performance and success, research interest in the factors affecting member's creativity is increasing. Among them, positive leadership is a major area of research interest. However, there is also a negative form of leadership in the organization. Authoritarian leadership is one of the type that can be easily found due to the hierarchical nature of the organization. Nonetheless, previous studies have several limitations. First, there are limited studies that investigate the relationship between the supervisor's authoritarian leadership and member creativity, and in particular, studies on the mechanism of explaining the relationship between the two variables are insufficient. Second, research on moderating variables influencing on the process of influencing authoritarian leadership is insufficient. This study was conducted with two research purposes to supplement this. First, it examines the influence process inherent in the relationship between the supervisor's authoritarian leadership and creativity. Specifically, in this study, we consumed psychological ownership as an important channel of influence according to social exchange theory. Second, this study verify the moderating effect of the member's calling in the impact process of authoritarian leadership on creativity through the member's psychological ownership. To verify this, 154 pairs of military officers (commissioned officers and noncommissioned officers) were surveyed with 6-week time interval, and hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to verify the hypothesis. As a result of the analysis, authoritarian leadership hinders creativity through the psychological ownership of members. In addition, the higher the member's calling, the weaker the negative relationship between authoritarian leadership and psychological ownership, and the moderated mediating effect was also significant. Based on the research results, the theoretical and practical implications of this study were presented, and in the conclusion section, the limitations of the study and future research directions were mentioned.

전제적 리더십이 과업성과와 창의성에 미치는 영향 - 심리적 주인의식의 매개역할 -

Currently the world is in an unexpected COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of this, as telecommuting and non-face-to-face work become more common in the workplace, It is required to have leadership capabilities of leaders to maintain the psychological stability of the followers in the organization, a sense of responsibility and belonging to the organization and to be creative. However, even in the changed work environments, negative leadership issues are constantly occurring due to the coercive and unethical behavior of the leaders at work. The disruptive influence of the leader leads to destruction of work performance and organizational culture of not only individuals but also the organization as a whole, and it also has a great impact on society. This study investigate the negative effects of the destructive and unethical despotic leadership of hierarchical leaders that hinder follower's task performance and creativity in organization and also investigate the mediating effect of psychological ownership in this process. As a result of analyzing a questionnaire collected from a total of 211 dyds of subordinates and their direct leaders samples of army officials(officers and enlisted officers) the leader’s despotic leadership has a negative(-) effect to the psychological ownership of the members. It was found that the psychological ownership mediates the relationship between despotic leadership and task performance and creativity. The results of this study show that the leader's despotic leadership behavior is a destructive factor that hinders the psychological ownership of members in the organization and the psychological ownership plays an important mediating role in linking the leader's despotic leadership behavior that hinders follower’s task performance and creativity. This study broadened the scope of understanding about the negative effects of despotic leadership through the first empirical study in Korea on despotic leadership which has not been studied much in academia. The area of negative leadership research in a different perspective from the traditional leadership research in which the positive leadership of leaders is the mainstream was expanded. We examined how despotic leader behavior affects follower psychological ownership, and how their work performance and subordinate's creativity are affected. It provides practical implications for what negative leadership needs to be suppressed or eliminated in the workplace. It is proposing implications for how to develop leadership capabilities and what to educate and train for organizational managers seeking sustainability and prosperity. Finally, the limitations of this study and future research directions were discussed.

Corporate governance, corporate social responsibility and performance with the moderating role of board equity ownership: Evidence from Indonesia’s oil palm companies

The Oil Palm Companies is one of the highest contributions towards Indonesia economic development. However, the company performance in the oil palm companies is far from expectation which is related to how they responsible on their shareholders as well as stakeholders. Thus, the study purpose is to examine the relations between corporate governance mechanisms, corporate social responsibility and board equity ownership on performance in Indonesia’s Oil Palm Companies. The findings highlight a positive relationship between board equity ownership, corporate social responsibility and company performance. Furthermore, the moderating role of board equity ownership has a significant positive on the relationship between independence director and company performance as well as corporate social responsibility. The relationship between female director and company performance shows the same result with the interaction of board equity ownership. Currently studies have found that corporate governance mechanisms, corporate social responsibility have significant effect on company performance. Nevertheless, this evidence showed that direct relationship between corporate governance, social responsibility and company performance have mix results. Admittedly, the indirect relationship revealed that board equity ownership contributes significant effect on the relations between corporate governance, social responsibility and company performance particularly in Indonesia’s oil palm companies. Based on the author knowledge, a few studies have been done in oil palm companies which it provides a prominent issue in corporate governance mechanism particularly on board equity ownership which majority is held by family member ownership.
 Keywords Corporate governance, social responsibility, board equity ownership, company performance

THE PECULIARITY OF THE COOPERATIVE AND MUTUAL MODEL: EVIDENCE FROM THE EUROPEAN BANKING SECTOR

The crucial role of mutual banks in promoting local development is highlighted by an extensive theoretical and empirical literature. The historical success of mutual banks derives not only from their specific business model, but also from their peculiar and distinguishing corporate governance with member ownership. According to a copious literature, these features have probably allowed mutual banks to better withstand financial crisis. This work compares the cost efficiency of European mutual banks by analyzing a sample which consists of the universe of all the banks operating in Italy, Germany, France and Spain over the period 2011–2016, by employing a stochastic approach (Stochastic Frontier Analysis-SFA) to determine the effects of the recent financial crisis on the efficiency level of this particular kind of bank. The analysis aims to point out the determinants of efficiency in order to understand if the mutual model reveals to be still attractive in the modern banking system. The main contribution of the paper to previous literature consists in comparing different impacts of financial crisis on efficiency of mutual banks in main European countries. Furthermore, the results enrich the recent debate about the cooperative and mutual banking system and its raison d’être. Our results show that the European mutual banks reveal a higher degree of efficiency with respect to commercial banks. Cost efficiency appears to be significantly and negatively related to the level of regulatory capital, the level of credit risk, the level of leverage and the cost-income ratio. On the other hand, it is significantly and positively related to the profitability of the traditional lending activity, to the level of prudence in terms of provisions against credit risk and to the amount of liquidity as a buffer against unexpected troubles.

An Exploratory Study of Cooperative Survival: Strategic Adaptation to External Developments

Farmer cooperatives have been portrayed in the literature as flawed and complex organizations with ambiguous objectives. However, research on the observed survival of farmer cooperatives in spite of their weaknesses and limitations is scarce, in part because academic attention to cooperative performance has been static and introspective. Using evidence collected from case studies and print media publications, this paper contributes to the literature with a qualitative study of farmer cooperatives which spurred survival and longevity by means of strategic adaptation in response to four current developments in the external environment: industry consolidation, consumer segmentation, price volatility, and policy change. The qualitative study concludes farmer cooperatives in general respond to such developments by means of organizational growth. Common strategies are vertical integration, geographic expansion, and portfolio diversification. While survival and longevity are promoted in theory, strategic adaptation also often facilitates the pursuit of investor-oriented as opposed to user-oriented objectives. In some scenarios, member ownership and control may become burdensome to the business and prompt conversion to another structure if further adaptation to internal and external developments is unsuccessful. More research is therefore needed to explore the dynamic and variable impact of strategy on cooperative survival.

Strategies to improve treatment coverage in community-based public health programs: A systematic review of the literature

BackgroundCommunity-based public health campaigns, such as those used in mass deworming, vitamin A supplementation and child immunization programs, provide key healthcare interventions to targeted populations at scale. However, these programs often fall short of established coverage targets. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the impact of strategies used to increase treatment coverage in community-based public health campaigns.Methodology/ principal findingsWe systematically searched CAB Direct, Embase, and PubMed archives for studies utilizing specific interventions to increase coverage of community-based distribution of drugs, vaccines, or other public health services. We identified 5,637 articles, from which 79 full texts were evaluated according to pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Twenty-eight articles met inclusion criteria and data were abstracted regarding strategy-specific changes in coverage from these sources. Strategies used to increase coverage included community-directed treatment (n = 6, pooled percent change in coverage: +26.2%), distributor incentives (n = 2, +25.3%), distribution along kinship networks (n = 1, +24.5%), intensified information, education, and communication activities (n = 8, +21.6%), fixed-point delivery (n = 1, +21.4%), door-to-door delivery (n = 1, +14.0%), integrated service distribution (n = 9, +12.7%), conversion from school- to community-based delivery (n = 3, +11.9%), and management by a non-governmental organization (n = 1, +5.8%).Conclusions/significanceStrategies that target improving community member ownership of distribution appear to have a large impact on increasing treatment coverage. However, all strategies used to increase coverage successfully did so. These results may be useful to National Ministries, programs, and implementing partners in optimizing treatment coverage in community-based public health programs.

Co-operative Decision Making Structure and Its Effectiveness in Promoting Sustainable Co-operative Organizations in Tanzania: A Case of Selected Agricultural Marketing Co-operatives in Shinyanga Region

The effectiveness of decision making is a pivotal in the cooperative institution, the question of who should make decisions is by protocol vested to members. This paper is dedicated to on the assessing the tragedy of decision making structure in the cooperative, guided by objectives which are; to determine the structure of decision making and governance, assessing the effectiveness of the co-operative structure in decision and assess the effectiveness of the feedback system in agricultural marketing co-operatives in Tanzania. The study draws evidence from the selected agricultural marketing cooperative in Shinyanga; there the case study design was employed. The findings revealed that; member decision is hijacked by external drive who controls the cooperatives, meeting are called by either unions or cooperative officers that indicates, it is not from members wishes. And the cooperatives lacks feedback mechanism to feed members on the decision made, that brings gap between management, board and members. The study concluded that, cooperative are for members but members do hold their institutions. Generally the study recommends the review of cooperative law, rules and guidelines that will reflect member ownership in decisions, also the supervisory committee be established in the primary societies to enlarge managerial accountability.

THE EXTENDED GOVERNANCE OF COOPERATIVE FIRMS: INTER-FIRM COORDINATION AND CONSISTENCY OF VALUES

This work aims at providing a framework for the analysis of governance in networks of cooperative firms. It builds on four bodies of literature: cooperation, transaction costs, monopoly capitalism, production networks. The framework associates the specific principles that define the identity of cooperative organizations (self-help, member ownership, democratic control, financial participation, limited capital remuneration)alongside more genera lgovernance levels(embodied values, property rights, control, resource allocation). We then apply the same dimensions to production networks and propose a stylized networking model for cooperatives. We introduce market power, and identify two polarized types of networks: (1) heterarchical forms of coordination based on cooperation and mutual help,(2) hierarchical coordination based on exclusive direction. We compare both types with our normative framework providing examples and brief case studies for each network type. Recommendations to scholars and practitioners point at the opportunity to discriminate inter-firm relations and production development strategy in terms of the values of cooperation, at all governance levels.

Ownership Structure And Market Valuation: The Case Of Very Small, Young, And Fast-Growing Firms

In studies of primarily large, established firms, researchers find that increasing managerial ownership increases firm value, at least in some ranges of ownership. This evidence suggests that increasing managerial ownership can decrease net agency costs. Our study investigates managerial ownership and firm value for an atypical sample: very small, young, and fast-growing firms. We argue that increasing managerial ownership likely increases net agency costs in small, entrepreneurial firms. Consistent with this argument, we find that entrepreneurial firm value is positively related to outside board member ownership, but negatively related to inside board member ownership.

Wither Participatory Banking? Experiences with Village Banks in South Africa

Microfinance is widely advocated as a powerful tool to reduce poverty and improve social inclusion. How best to achieve these outcomes has been the focus of considerable debate, between supporters of minimalist finance-only and services-plus approaches, and between the merits of client-oriented models and member ownership. Many approaches to microfinance note the importance of participation within peer groups, the potential for empowerment and the support given by civil society organizations. Few studies, however, have analysed the nature and extent of participation, or whether this participation can be understood as democratic. In this paper, we examine four communities in South Africa that belong to a Village Bank, an organization that promotes member ownership and control. The paper examines members’ experiences of participation and, specifically, organizational transparency and conflict resolution. We argue that microfinance holds considerable normative and symbolic appeal for members, but that participation in practice has been limited.

Growing a State Society: The Michigan Model

The Michigan Society of Hematology and Oncology (MSHO) was formed in 1985 in response to unfavorable changes in Medicare reimbursement and inconsistent coverage issues with Michigan's private payers that jeopardized specialists' ability to deliver quality care. In 1989, MSHO became actively involved in the first state legislation mandating oncology drug coverage. This law was expanded to include off-label indications. This landmark legislation led to development of an Off-Label Oncology Panel review process that is still viable and has been emulated throughout the country. MSHO was invited to deliver Congressional testimony on Michigan's law as Congress formulated the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1993, which included provisions requiring Medicare coverage of off-label indications when included in certain drug compendia and peer-reviewed journals. Throughout its twenty-year history, MSHO has paid careful attention to membership recruitment and retention. Regional policymakers and regulators have given MSHO access because they understand that we represent 90% of the state's cancer specialists. As of today, the Michigan Society of Hematology and Oncology includes 313 physicians from private practice and academic medical center settings. Our organization provides educational, reimbursement, legislative advocacy and networking services to physician members as well as their nurse practitioners, physician assistants, oncology nurses, practice managers and billing staff members. Surveying and targeting the unique, local needs of our practices and clinics and employing a variety of communication vehicles keeps the Society relevant and valuable to its members. MSHO recognizes the importance of actively involving the practice administrators in all we do. This specific group can readily identify issues, encourage staff participation in Society initiatives and make sure the physicians maintain their membership. The alliance of the physicians and their administrators is something unique to the Michigan Society of Hematology and Oncology and crucial to our continued success. As an additional benefit, MSHO offers an active Group Purchasing Organization with contracts and partnerships accessible to both large and small practices. Since the founding of the Society, strong physician leadership and vision have driven MSHO's achievements. Our Board of Directors currently numbers 22 oncologists/hematologists representing all geographic areas of Michigan. The composition of the Board is well balanced. Physicians from large practices, solo practitioners and representatives from all of Michigan's academic medical centers are active Board members. Many Board members hold positions in national clinical and professional advocacy organizations. The talent and expertise that each of these overscheduled specialists bring to our Society is impressive. Being an MSHO Board member requires regular attendance at meetings and participation in subcommittees. With labor divided among so many competent and devoted members, burnout is low. As a group there is a great mutual respect and dedication to our core mission. Our members are connected with statewide and national stakeholders in cancer care. MSHO participates in the Michigan Cancer Consortium, facilitates the Michigan Working Group to Improve Cancer Outcomes and has ties to many local and national patient advocacy groups. The Society appoints the Hematology and Oncology Carrier Advisory Committee Members to our Medicare carrier, Wisconsin Physician Services. We have quarterly meetings with the medical policy team at our state's largest private payer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan. We also work closely with the Michigan Department of Community Health, the Michigan Association of Health Plans, and individual payers. Education, networking and communication build strong allegiance to MSHO. Rather than being separate functions of the Society, the integration of these services promotes our mission and creates member ownership of our organization. Our CME program faculty is traditionally recruited from Michigan academic medical centers. We offer yearly ASH and ASCO Updates and an Annual Meeting Symposium that reviews the current information on specific tumors. This is an opportunity for community oncologists to recognize those who are the local thought leaders on specific topics. We offer a yearly Oncology Fellows Board Review that confirms our educational mission and dedication to the future of oncology care in the state. OCN pre-test trainings, clinical research workshops, and the Annual Oncology Nurse Network Retreat and dinner meetings advance professional growth and offer nurses an opportunity to meet and share with others in like and different practice settings. Oncology manager roundtables, hospital-based oncology economic updates and quarterly reimbursement meetings address the challenges of the business of oncology. In 2004, MSHO implemented an intensive, week-long academic oncology managers certification course focusing on health care finance, risk management, e-systems, contracting, outcomes measurement, and employment practices. All educational meetings are carefully designed to offer a setting conducive to networking and disseminating information about all MSHO initiatives. Quarterly newsletters, monthly fax-blasts, the MSHO Web site and direct mailings support education opportunities. The Society provides the services of a full-time reimbursement specialist to support practices. Figure 2

The impact of cooperative structure and firm culture on market orientation and performance

AbstractBuilding on recent advances in cooperative literature and practice, we conceive two key organizational features of cooperatives: cooperative structure (in terms of control, ownership, and cost/pricing policies resulting in traditional and re‐engineered co‐ops) as well as entrepreneurial cooperative firm culture. Then we conceptualize and test the effect of these organizational features on the market orientation and performance of the cooperative firm relying on a sample of Dutch co‐ops. We cannot establish a systematic influence of the cooperative structure; however, a significant influence of individualized member ownership on performance and of cost/pricing policies on market orientation has been found. Entrepreneurial firm culture has a significant effect on both market orientation and performance. [EconLit citations: L200, M310, Q130.] © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 20: 379–396, 2004.

A Queer Idea: Using Group Work Principles to Strengthen Learning in a Sexual Minorities Seminar

ABSTRACT This paper examines the application of group work principles to enhance personal, professional, and pedagogical awareness in a Master's level course on social work practice with sexual minorities. The instructor's overall objective was to create an educational support group in a seminar-like environment which would draw on the experience of class members as well as on the growing body of literature surrounding topics by and about gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender people. The course was organized around group work principles, including mutuality, reciprocity, connection, shared leadership, collective empowerment, member ownership of the group, and a commitment to honoring diversity.

Organizing in the knowledge age: Anticipating the cellular form

Executive Overview Each major era in business history has featured a particular form of organization. Early hierarchical, vertically integrated organizations have largely given way to network organizations that link the assets and know-how of numerous upstream and downstream industry partners. A number of leading companies today are experimenting with a new way of organizing—the cellular form. Cellular organizations are built on the principles of entrepreneurship, self-organization, and member ownership. In the future, cellular organizations will be used in situations requiring continuous learning and innovation.

The effects of marginal changes of ownership on multi‐level objectives in corporate groups

AbstractChanges in the intra‐group linkages affect the ownership of members of the group by their parents and can have different effects on the various objectives of the group. This paper shows how one can use the standard formula for calculating ownership in a group of companies to derive a linear approximation to the marginal changes in the group structure as the result of changes in intra‐group linkages. These marginal effects can be used in linear multi‐objective and/or decentralized planning systems in the group. An example is provided on some tax‐planning effects of marginal changes of intra‐group ownership.