Journal of Co-operative Studies 55(1), 129-133
Co-operatives and poverty reduction: Findings from a research project
| Open access |  | Editorial reviewed/Reprint article | Published online: Dec 2023 |
Co-operatives and poverty reduction: Findings from a research project
Richard Simmons and Johnston Birchall
Journal of Co-operative Studies 55(1), 129-133
Orginally published in Journal of Co-operative Studies, 43(3), December 2010, 43-46
https://doi.org/10.61869/YAVS1611
How to cite this paper: Simmons, R. & Birchall, J. (2022). Co-operatives and poverty reduction: Findings from a research project. Journal of Co-operative Studies, 55(1), 129-133. https://doi.org/10.61869/YAVS1611(Original work published 2010).
Abstract
This article reports on the findings of a two and a half year study1 to investigate the role and potential of co-operatives in poverty reduction. It follows an earlier article in this journal where we outlined the research agenda on these important issues (Birchall & Simmons, 2007), and is based on a longer report published by the Co-operative College (Birchall & Simmons, 2009). The article suggests that co‑operatives have significant potential for poverty reduction relative to other types of organisation, and that many co-operatives are currently helping their members to achieve more than they could on their own. It also suggests that with the right kind of support co-operatives are capable of increasing the help they are able to offer their members to escape from poverty.
PDF
References
Birchall, J., & Simmons, R. (2007). The Role and Potential of Co-operatives in the Poverty Reduction Process: A research agenda. Journal of Co-operative Studies, 40(1), pp. 43-51.
Birchall, J., & Simmons, R. (2009). Co-operatives and poverty reduction: Evidence from Sri Lanka and Tanzania. Co-operative College.
Birchall, J., & Simmons, R. (2009). The co-operative reform process in Tanzania and Sri Lanka. Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, 81(3), 467-500. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8292.2010.00418.x
Birchall, J., & Simmons, R. (2013). The role and potential of co-operatives in the poverty reduction process. In J. Howell. (Ed.). Non-governmental public action and social justice, (pp. 86-111). Palgrave Macmillan.https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137309174_5
Collier, P. (2008). The bottom billion: Why the poorest countries are failing and what can be done about it. Oxford University Press.
Ki-moon, B. (2008, September 25). Committing to action: Achieving the millennium development goals. Background note by the Secretary General. High-level event on the Millennium Goals, UN Headquarters, New York.
Nussbaum, M.C. (2011). Creating capabilities: The human development approach. Harvard University Press.
Sen, A. (1999). Development as freedom. Oxford University Press.
Sen, A., & Nussbaum, M. (Eds.).(1993). The quality of life. Oxford University Press.
Shah, T. (1996). Catalysing Co-operation: design of self-governing organisations. Sage
Smith, S., & Ross, C. (2006). Organizing out of poverty: Stories from the grassroots. How the SYNDICOOP approach has worked in East Africa. International Labour Organisation/ International Co‑operative Alliance/International Confederation of Free Trade Unions. https://www.ilo.org/actrav/pubs/WCMS_111412/lang--en/index.htm
World Bank (2007). World development report 2008: Agriculture for development. The World Bank. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/5990
