Somerville, Peter (2007) Co-operative identity. Journal of Co-operative Studies, 40 (1). pp. 5-17. ISSN 0961-5784
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The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the concept of co-operative identity. Co-operatives are claimed to have distinct values and institutional forms, different from private corporations, public bodies and 'non-profits' or charities. Essentially, however, co-operatives are member-owned, democratically controlled enterprises. Over the years, it appears that they tend to lose their distinct identity (the so-called 'degeneration thesis'). This paper looks at why this occurs and how the distinct identity of co-operatives can be sustained. It points to the growth, in recent years, of community organisations that do not call themselves co-operatives but nevertheless can be argued to exhibit a co-operative identity. It concludes by suggesting that the experience of these 'community co-operatives' may contain lessons for the co-operative movement.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the concept of co-operative identity. Co-operatives are claimed to have distinct values and institutional forms, different from private corporations, public bodies and 'non-profits' or charities. Essentially, however, co-operatives are member-owned, democratically controlled enterprises. Over the years, it appears that they tend to lose their distinct identity (the so-called 'degeneration thesis'). This paper looks at why this occurs and how the distinct identity of co-operatives can be sustained. It points to the growth, in recent years, of community organisations that do not call themselves co-operatives but nevertheless can be argued to exhibit a co-operative identity. It concludes by suggesting that the experience of these 'community co-operatives' may contain lessons for the co-operative movement. |
| Keywords: | identity, co-operative identity, community co-operatives, co-operatives movement, community organisations |
| Subjects: | L Social studies > L410 UK Social Policy L Social studies > L400 Social Policy |
| Divisions: | College of Social Sciences > Faculty of Health & Social Sciences > School of Social & Political Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Alison Wilson |
| Date Deposited: | 30 Jul 2010 13:25 |
| Last Modified: | 18 Jul 2011 16:30 |
| URI: | http://eprints.lincoln.ac.uk/id/eprint/3115 |
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