Journal of Co-operative Studies Vol 51 No 3

Editorial

Peer reviewed articles

Exploring the Reasons for Setting up New General Service Co-operatives in Germany

Isabel Adams and Reiner Doluschitz, pp. 6-16

ABSTRACT

Over the last two decades, an increase can be observed in the number of organisations with the legal status of registered co-operative (e.G.), including those in services of general interest. The reasons for this may be found in the interplay between supply gaps and unsaturated demand, manifested as deficits in services of general interest, as well as in the increase in citizens’ willingness to play active roles. This article centres on the intentions behind founding such enterprises. Whereas in the literature, new co-operatives as described are mainly represented by individual cases, this article takes a comprehensive, systematic and quantitative view. The survey conducted in summer 2016 supplied datasets from 178 co-operatives in services of general interest. The 178 datasets thus gathered were subjected to a descriptive and structurally revealing statistical analysis. By means of an exploratory factor analysis (KMO value 0.726), four intentions were determined that led to the foundation of co-operatives in services of general interest: (1) redressing a local deficit, (2) preserving something, (3) helping others, (4) providing self-help. A comparison of the results with equivalent findings from the literature reveals both overlaps (1 and 2), and new knowledge (3 and 4).

Keywords: Germany; general service co-operative; quantitative

Co-operative University: An Antidote to Academic Capitalism?

Jan Myers, pp. 17-30

ABSTRACT

This paper looks at the idea of the co-operative university in the UK. It considers the current higher education environment and the challenges and opportunities offered by the Higher Education and Research Act, 2017. In doing so the paper considers the university as a public good, academic capitalism and entrepreneurism as well as issues of ownership, control, participation and what questions these issues raise for realising one or more co-operative universities. It acknowledges the developments and challenges thus far, particularly on the eve of the centenary anniversary of UK’s Co-operative College and considers the nature and form that might concern the future development of co-operative universities from past experience and current need.

Keywords: co-operative university; higher education; public good

Short papers

Reprint article: University Courses for Managers

S. P. Clarke, pp. 31-32

Reprint article: Management Education and Training: the Swedish Experience

Gunnar Dahlander, pp. 33-40

ABSTRACT

This report from Sweden and in particular from Kooperativa Förbundet (KF) the Swedish Co‑operative Union and Wholesale Society is in two parts. The first is a description of the structure and consists of extracts from the Information Sheet Consumer Co-operative Education and Training, published in July 1977 by the International Department of KF. The second part identifies some of the main goals and functions (and problems) within that structure.

Jesse Gray’s Role in the Development of the British Co-operative Movement

Andrew Bibby – pp 41-45