Abstract This study explores the extent to which members' assessment of their cooperatives' degree success is related various member attributes, notably perception participation in governance cooperatives. Three categories attributes are identified: satisfaction with profitability farm operations, age member, and experience from board work. The measured as commitment towards cooperatives, trust directors. data originate a mail survey among 2,250 Swedish farmers. results indicate differences...

ABSTRACT During the last 20 years many traditionally organized agricultural cooperatives have been forced to abandon their business form. Explanations put forward, comprising a variety of economic and sociological theories. The present study suggests that social capital paradigm may add explanatory power when analyzing this development. It is claimed problems are due members having increasingly little trust in each other. cooperatives’ decision makers no instruments for estimating how much...

Abstract Building on recent advances in cooperative literature and practice, we conceive two key organizational features of cooperatives: structure (in terms control, ownership, cost/pricing policies resulting traditional re‐engineered co‐ops) as well entrepreneurial firm culture. Then conceptualize test the effect these market orientation performance relying a sample Dutch co‐ops. We cannot establish systematic influence structure; however, significant individualized member ownership has...

Several researchers, who have observed that traditional cooperatives difficulties in modern markets, mention a number of behavioral concepts characterizing the members. This study attempts to empirically test these concepts. It is based on survey among members large Swedish cooperative. The perceive cooperative be so and complex they understanding operations. Hence, become dissatisfied uninvolved, mistrust leadership. Moreover, do not believe can remodeled strengthen member control. findings...

ABSTRACT According to social capital theory, small cooperatives with simple business operations have more in their membership than large, complex cooperatives. The geographical and proximity among members, between members leadership, fosters capital. This proposition is investigated empirically using data from member surveys three Swedish farm supply grain marketing that vary greatly size, about 36,000 1,600 150 members. findings strongly support the view smaller cooperative, higher capital,...

For rural communities in poor countries to develop, farmers need money invest their farms. However, with limited assets of own and conditions for obtaining loans, the farmers’ operations suffer. This study explores how chances a bank loan are related social capital that they receive from cooperative membership. The data originated 743 Fujian province, China, was analyzed help instrumental variable probit (IV-probit) regression model. results show (a) members have higher chance compared...

Abstract This article concludes that cooperative firms' choice of interfirm consolidation and collaboration strategies can be explained by two attributes, inherent in the business form, namely, risk aversion equity capital constraints. Empirical data originate from 15 largest EU dairy firms during a 5‐year period (1998–2002). In total 198 activities are identified. They classified into six categories: (a) mergers, (b) acquisitions, (c) strategic share holdings, (d) joint ventures, (e)...

The dominant organizations of agricultural production ( kolkhozes and sovkhozes) have become obsolete with independence the abolition Soviet era’s planned economy. These had to be restructured family farms, or more generally private were intended form new backbone farm production. However, development since then has been difficult. Based on a literature review, this study reviews assesses in terms changing institutional conditions. Russian government’s policies, by interchangeably supporting...

In many of today's large cooperatives, the vast majority members do not take part in internal governance. They prefer to be free riders, deferring those who responsibility being elected representatives. Nevertheless, one may claim that there is a perception social capital among passive members; otherwise, they would continue members. Thus, spite their passivity, most want cooperative perform well, while avoiding exploitation by powerful representatives and top management. The present study's...

In many of today's large cooperatives, the vast majority members do not take part in internal governance. They prefer to be free riders, deferring those who responsibility being elected representatives. Nevertheless, one may claim that there is a perception social capital among passive members; otherwise, they would continue members. Thus, spite their passivity, most want cooperative perform well, while avoiding exploitation by powerful representatives and top management. The present study's...

ABSTRACT * : Members' transaction costs decrease as a consequence of cooperative principles and values. The members' values reduce their uncertainty in relation to each other relationship the business environment. Thus, there are two categories values: social sovereignty characteristics organization that aim relationships with cooperative. Thus we find types principles: society principles. Business state how between enterprise members should be designed. Society for interactions.

ABSTRACT Many Soviet kolkhozy and sovkhozy were transformed into agricultural production co‐operatives, because the farm workers would have had large transaction costs in any other type of organization. These co‐operatives still hold a strong market position. This study explores hypothesis that this strength could be due to low governance costs, obtained through manager power. As managers want co‐operative survive, they make limited investments pay wages. The members, however, do not...

In most post-socialist economies, private farming has re-emerged after regime change, although even today this sector often accounts for only a minor proportion of national production. Russian farmers are reported to dislike formal cooperatives, so study investigated whether their informal collaborative arrangements may affect business results. A survey involving personal interviews with 158 randomly chosen in the Kurgan Region examined collaborating economically more successful and consider...

For the rural districts of China to get an economically and socially sustainable development, strengthening agricultural cooperatives is essential. This study aims at presenting a model about how social capital within can be converted into financial benefit both cooperative members. Case studies four serve as illustrations. There large amount in these cooperatives, with their operations simple enough allow members involved. The supplying (common members) are few well acquainted one another....

Abstract Although social capital is commonly believed to affect cooperative financing, empirical results are sparse. Using data from surveys of members 60 cooperatives in Fujian province, China, this study shows that related financing performance, interpreted as (1) members’ willingness provide equity, (2) loans and banks, (3) providing services members. Three dimensions identified; external, relational, cognitive. The findings indicate Chinese obtain bank credit more easily if they have...

During recent decades, there have been many failures among large and complex agricultural co-operatives with a traditional organizational structure, that is, mainly collective governance ownership. Many converted into the so-called hybrid co-operatives, owned together external financiers. This article applies cost theory to explain this development. The results show members are not able govern collectively firm is complex; thus reluctant invest in co-operatives; do perceive benefit them...

Abstract This study explored the relations between farmer‐members' social networks and their interest in cooperative governance, specifically willingness to be elected representatives. Several researchers assert that member governance is related factors. The empirical basis consists of surveys random samples Swedish farmers conducted 1993, 2003, 2013. results indicate a strong relationship farmers' propensity participate governance. has persisted even though investigated 20‐year period was...

Abstract This study investigates the commitment of farmer members to traditional and hybrid cooperatives, examines how why their has changed over time. The empirical basis consists three surveys representative samples Finnish farmers conducted in 2010, 2013 2016. Dairy cooperatives Finland have a organizational form. Animal breeders deliver that some external investors, but majority votes. In both industries, are committed increasingly so years. is particularly true dairy farmers. However,...

Studies show that the co-operatives have been established by governmental officials in Russia not successful. This study seeks to explore whether government decision makers are badly informed about conditions for running co-operative enterprises. The is based on surveys within Kurgan region with agricultural producers who members, members of at formation stage, same a later point time and sample officials. findings indicate poor knowledge socio-psychological among producers.