Journal of Co-operative Studies 55(1), 148-161
A ‘member-owned business’ approach to the classification of co-operatives mutuals
| Open access |  | Editorial reviewed/Reprint article | Published online: Dec 2023 |
A ‘member-owned business’ approach to the classification of co-operatives mutuals.
Johnston Birchall
Journal of Co-operative Studies 55(1), 148-161
Orginally published in Journal of Co-operative Studies, 44(2), August 2011, 4-15
https://doi.org/10.61869/XOZF6454
How to cite this paper: Birchall, J. (2022). TA ‘member-owned business’ approach to the classification of co-operatives mutuals. Journal of Co-operative Studies, 55(1), 148-161. https://doi.org/10.61869/XOZF6454 (Original work published 2011).
Abstract
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.
PDF
References
Birchall, J. (1994). Co-op: The people’s business. Manchester University Press.
Birchall, J. (1997). The international cooperative movement. Manchester University Press.
Birchall, J. (2003). Rediscovering the co-operative advantage: Poverty reduction through self-help. International Labour Organisation.
Birchall, J. (2004). Co-operatives and the millennium development goals. International Labour Organisation.
Birchall, J. (2005). Documento de fondo: Los principios cooperativos, diez anos despues. International Co-operative Alliance.
Birchall, J. (2009). A comparative study of co-operatives in Scotland, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland. Co-operative Development Scotland.
Birchall, J. (2011). People-centred businesses: Co-operatives, mutuals and the idea of membership. Palgrave Macmillan.
Birchall, J., & Hammond-Ketilson, L. (2009). Resilience of the co-operative business model in times of crisis. International Labour Organisation.
Birchall, J. & Simmons, R. (2010). The co-operative reform process in Tanzania and Sri Lanka. Annals of Public and Co-operative Economics, 81(3), 467-500. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8292.2010.00418.x
Böök, S-A. (1992). Co-operative values in a changing world. International Co-operative Alliance.
Depedri, S. (2017). Social co-operatives in Italy. In J. Michie, J. R. Blasi, & C. Borzaga (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of mutual, co-operative, and co-owned business. Oxford University Press.
Develtere, P., Pollet., I &Wanyama, F.O. (Eds.). (2008). Cooperating out of poverty: The renaissance of the African co-operative movement. International Labour Organisation.
Grashuis, J. & Cook, M. (2018). An examination of new generation co-operatives in
the Upper Mid-west: Success, failures, and limitations. Annals of Public and Co-operative Economics, 89(4), 623-644. https://doi.org/10.1111/apce.12211
Henrÿ, H. (2002, May). The creation of a supportive environment in theory and practice: Co-operative law. Is it necessary? Is it sufficient for co-operatives to prosper. [Paper for Expert Group meeting] UN Division for Social Policy and Development, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/poverty/papers/coop_henry.pdf
Holyoake, G. J. (1906). The history of co-operation, (Complete edition). T. Fisher Unwin.
Hood, C. (1989). Public administration and public policy: Intellectual challenges for the 1990s. Australian Journal of Administration, 48(4), 346-358
ICA Commission on Co-operative Principles (1966). The co-operative principles [Report]. ICA 23 Congress, Vienna, Austria.
International Co-operative Alliance (1996). Annual Report, 1995-6, ICA
International Co-operative Alliance (2011). Global 300 Report 2010: The world’s major co-operatives and mutual businesses. ICA.
International Labour Organisation (2002). R193 - Promotion of co-operatives. Recommendation, 2002 (No.193). ILO.
MacPherson, I. (1995). Co-operative principles for the twenty first century. International Co-operative Alliance.
Mondragon Corporation (2010). About us — Mondragon’s principles. https://www.mondragon-corporation.com/en/about-us/
Polllitt, C. (1990). Managerialism and the public services. Basil Blackwell.
Shah, T. (1996). Catalysing Co-operation: design of self-governing organisations. Sage.
United Nations Economic and Social Council (2001, May 14). Co-operatives in social development: Report of the Secretary-General [A/56/73—E/2001/68]. https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/443957?ln=en
Wanyama, F. O., Develtere, P., & Pollet, I. (2009). Reinventing the wheel? African cooperatives in a liberalised economic environment. Annals of Public and Co-operative Economics, 80(3) 361-392. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8292.2009.00390.x
