Cooperative Longevity and Sustainable Development in a Family Farming System

This paper focuses on small holding, family farming in Southeast Spain where agricultural economic activity is predominantly organized around cooperative business models. A variety of diverse studies on the Almería agricultural and credit cooperative sector and the exploration of social-economic and eco-social indicators, in addition to economic-market indicators are presented. Each correspond to a cooperative “logic” that spans theoretical perspectives from the dominant economic-market model, new institutionalism, and an eco-social approach, echoing theories on collective coordination governance, and the avoidance of the “tragedy of the commons”. The latter is of particular importance given environmental challenges and scarce resources for agricultural activity. The cooperatives in Almería have increasingly relied on collective collaboration and coordination in order to meet social-economic and social-ecological challenges, transforming their role from that founded on a market dominant logic to that of cooperation as a coordination mechanism based on the mutual benefit of the community and environment. In turn, their ability to meet a wide range of needs and challenges of members and the community leads to their longevity. Cooperatives are able to act as both a market and non-market coordination mechanism, balancing the economic, social, and environmental dimensions, such that neither market nor non-market logics are dominant or exclusive

Commitment issues? Analysing the effect of preference deviation and social embeddedness on member commitment to worker cooperatives in the gig economy

As enterprises that are owned and governed by workers themselves for their mutual benefit, worker cooperatives are currently re-emerging as a promising antidote against precarity and economic dependence in the gig economy. Considering the social and geographic fragmentation of gig workers, it remains unclear whether cooperatives can count on the member commitment necessary to survive. This study investigates whether preference deviation and social disembeddedness stifle the commitment of gig workers to such cooperatives. A cross-sectional survey was used to gather data from members of four interconnected cooperatives in Italy that consist of gig workers in the cultural, ICT and education sectors (n = 425). The results show that members with more deviating preferences and less social embeddedness among fellow members have a lower commitment towards their cooperative. These findings demonstrate the conditions for gig workers’ commitment to cooperatives, being a key factor in cooperative longevity

Response of Fresh Food Suppliers to Sustainable Supply Chain Management of Large European Retailers

This article analyses new supply chain management (SCM) strategies of the largest retail distribution chains in Europe within the context of differing sustainability concepts and approaches. An analysis is carried out of the strategic plans of such retailers, as well as recent developments in the sector. We begin by identifying the priority actions of retailers and then evaluating, by means of a survey, how small horticultural marketing firms (mainly cooperatives) in southeast Spain respond to the needs of these retailers. Subsequently, an analysis is carried out on these small marketing firm exporters to identify the relative weight which they assign to the variables assessed, while also considering the existing relationships between said weighted variables and business profits. Our results show that retailers tend to establish more simplified supply chains (that is, shorter and more vertical), essentially demonstrating their interpretation of a sustainable supply chain. In contrast, horticultural marketing firms have concentrated more on tactical and operational issues, thereby neglecting environmental, social and logistics management. Thus, their success rate in meeting the sustainability demands of their customers can be considered medium-low, requiring a more proactive attitude. Improved and collaborative relations, and the integration of sustainability concepts between suppliers (marketing firms) and their clients could contribute to successfully meeting sustainability demands. From the point of view of the consumer, close supplier–retail relationships have solved food safety issues, but the implementation of sustainability in other supply chain activities and processes is a pending issue. We propose strategic approximation and collaboration to bridge the gap between the varying sustainability demands in the supplier–retail relationship within perishable supply chains. Although this article specifically addresses fresh vegetable supply chains, the results may be extrapolated to other agri-food chains with a similar structure

Six Collective Challenges for Sustainability of Almería Greenhouse Horticulture

Globally, current food consumption and trade are placing unprecedented demand on agricultural systems and increasing pressure on natural resources, requiring tradeoffs between food security and environmental impacts especially given the tension between market-driven agriculture and agro-ecological goals. In order to illustrate the wicked social, economic and environmental challenges and processes to find transformative solutions, we focus on the largest concentration of greenhouses in the world located in the semi-arid coastal plain of South-east Spain. Almería family farming, predominantly cooperative, greenhouse intensive production, commenced after the 1960s and has resulted in very significant social and economic benefits for the region, while also having important negative environmental and biodiversity impacts, as well as creating new social challenges. The system currently finds itself in a crisis of diminishing economic benefits and increasing environmental and social dilemmas. Here, we present the outcomes of multi-actor, transdisciplinary research to review and provide collective insights for solutions-oriented research on the sustainability of Almeria’s agricultural sector. The multi-actor, transdisciplinary process implemented collectively, and supported by scientific literature, identified six fundamental challenges to transitioning to an agricultural model that aims to ameliorate risks and avoid a systemic collapse, whilst balancing a concern for profitability with sustainability: (1) Governance based on a culture of shared responsibility for sustainability, (2) Sustainable and efficient use of water, (3) Biodiversity conservation, (4) Implementing a circular economy plan, (5) Technology and knowledge transfer, and (6) Image and identity. We conclude that the multi-actor transdisciplinary approach successfully facilitated the creation of a culture of shared responsibility among public, private, academic, and civil society actors. Notwithstanding plural values, challenges and solutions identified by consensus point to a nascent acknowledgement of the strategic necessity to locate agricultural economic activity within social and environmental spheres.This paper demonstrates the need to establish transdisciplinary multi-actor work-schemes to continue collaboration and research for the transition to an agro-ecological model as a means to remain competitive and to create value

LIFE CYCLE OF BRAZILIAN CREDIT UNIONS: A STUDY BASED ON FINANCIAL VARIABLES

ABSTRACT: This paper seeks to contribute to the debate on the use of financial variables as predictors for the classification of credit unions into stages of the life cycle. For this purpose, the relationship between the proposed stages is analyzed by means of the signs of cash flows and financial indicators based on the literature, namely operational efficiency, financial intermediation revenues, adjusted net equity, variation in capital stock, and portfolio of overdue credit operations, by means of a multinomial logistic regression in Brazilian credit unions in the period between 2015 and 2019. The results of this study indicate that the relationship between the stages of the life cycle of Brazilian credit unions through financial variables is significant, especially those proposed in the turbulence stage. Based on the results, it is understood that the knowledge and use of this matrix by credit union managers and members can prove to be a promising method for identifying the stage of the life cycle of the union in which it is applied.Keywords: Stages; Life Cycle; Financial Variables; Brazilian Credit Unions. RESUMO: Este trabalho busca contribuir para o debate sobre a utilização de variáveis financeiras como preditoras para a classificação de cooperativas de crédito em estágios do ciclo de vida. Para o propósito, analisa-se a relação entre os estágios propostos por meio dos sinais dos fluxos de caixa e indicadores financeiros baseados na literatura, quais sejam a eficiência operacional, receitas de intermediação financeira, patrimônio líquido ajustado, variação do capital social e carteira de operações de crédito vencidas, por meio de uma regressão logística multinomial em cooperativas de crédito brasileiras no período entre 2015 e 2019. Os resultados deste estudo indicam que a relação entre os estágios do ciclo de vida de cooperativas de crédito brasileiras por meio de variáveis financeiras é significativa, com destaque para aquelas propostas no estágio de turbulência. Entende-se, a partir dos resultados encontrados, que o conhecimento e o uso dessa matriz por administradores de cooperativas e por cooperados pode se provar um método promissor para a identificação do estágio do ciclo de vida da cooperativa em que se aplica.Palavras-chave: Estágios; Ciclo de Vida; Variáveis Financeiras; Cooperativas de Crédito Brasileiras. RESUMEN: Este trabajo busca contribuir al debate sobre el uso de variables financieras como predictores para la clasificación de las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito en etapas del ciclo de vida. Para ello, se analiza la relación entre las etapas propuestas a través de las señales de flujos de caja e indicadores financieros basados en la literatura, a saber, la eficiencia operativa, los ingresos por intermediación financiera, el patrimonio ajustado, la variación del capital social y la cartera de créditos vencidos, a través de una regresión logística multinomial en cooperativas de ahorro y crédito brasileñas en el período comprendido entre 2015 y 2019. Los resultados de este estudio indican que la relación entre las etapas del ciclo de vida de las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito brasileñas a través de variables financieras es significativa, con énfasis en aquellas propuestas en el etapa de turbulencia. Se entiende, a partir de los resultados encontrados, que el conocimiento y uso de esta matriz por los administradores de cooperativas y por los cooperativistas puede resultar un método promisorio para identificar la etapa del ciclo de vida de la cooperativa en la que se aplica.Palabras clave: Pasantías; Ciclo de vida; Variables Financieras; cooperativas de ahorro y crédito brasileñas.

Cooperatives and sustainability drivers in the Spanish wine sector. What differences do we find with investor owner firms?

The fight against climate change has become a basic vector for agri-food business strategies. In Spain, commercial wineries (Investor Owner Firms, IOFs) and cooperatives are facing major challenges in adapting to the most stringent environmental requirements and in becoming sustainable and environmentally responsible companies. The European winemaking model, unlike its “new world” competitors, has a very distinct configuration with the predominance of the social economy in parallel with capitalist enterprises. However, these two forms of business organization are different in terms of objectives, position in the value chain, type of organization and form of management. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether these two types of companies have a different orientation towards sustainability, and which are the drivers that facilitate a greater approach to sustainability in each group. With a sample of 411 wineries, the results of the study show a lower orientation towards sustainability among the cooperatives, without a relevant alignment of their resources towards this objective. However, IOFs orient their resources towards sustainability in a consistent and strategic way. This may infer that the European model, with a clear advantage in the social component, could be somewhat more limited in the environmental aspect

Effective Role of Human Resource Management Policies Within Marketing Organization: The Impact on Business and Marketing Strategy Implementation

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effective role of human resource management (HRM) policies within marketing organizations and their impact on business and marketing strategy implementation.   Theoretical framework: The study will be based on the resource-based view of the firm, which posits that a firms resources and capabilities can be a source of sustainable competitive advantage.   Design/methodology/approach: The study will use a quantitative research design, collecting data through surveys administered to employees and managers within marketing organizations. Data will be analyzed using statistical techniques to identify relationships between HRM policies and business and marketing strategy implementation.   Findings: The findings of the study will provide insights into the impact of HRM policies on business and marketing strategy implementation and identify specific HRM practices that are associated with better performance outcomes. The major findings of this study are that the HRM policies improve the growth of a business and deliver quality work to the customers by understanding the external and internal affairs. The HRM policies improve the growth of a business and deliver quality work to the customers by understanding the external and internal affairs.   Research, practical and social implications: The results of the study will have implications for practitioners, as they will provide guidance on how to design and implement effective HRM policies within marketing organizations. Additionally, the study will contribute to the broader understanding of the role of HRM in organizational performance.   Originality/value: This study will be among those to examine the role of HRM policies in marketing organizations, providing new insights into how these policies can be leveraged to improve organizational performance

Sustainable development: aspects of agricultural cooperatives activities

Повестка устойчивого развития становится все более актуальной и острой для организаций всех форм собственности, размеров, видов деятельности, моделей функционирования. В связи с этим в статье представлены некоторые результаты обзорно-аналитического исследования деятельности одного из крупнейших сельскохозяйственных кооперативов (немецкого кооператива BayWa), всесторонне инкорпорирующего в свою активность принципы устойчивого развития.The sustainable development agenda is becoming increasingly relevant and acute for organizations of all forms of ownership, sizes, types of activities, models of functioning. In this regard, the article presents some results of a survey and analytical study of the activities of one of the largest agricultural cooperatives (the German cooperative BayWa), which comprehensively incorporates the principles of sustainable development into its strategies

Communication Strategies in Agricultural Cooperatives - Theoretical Approach

Communication is an important element in the governance of organizations. In most research on the development andmaintenance of successful cooperatives, effective communication with and between members is an ongoing issue. Incooperatives, or more specifically in agricultural cooperatives, subject of this study, inadequate communication strategiesmay be one of the reasons for organization failure. When inconsistent and ineffective, it offers a gap for disconnectionbetween members and the organization. Some authors also argue that communication is an important mechanism able onimproving the members' commitment to the cooperative. Despite this, agricultural cooperatives are somewhat slow toincorporate more diverse and effective communication strategies to reach their varied audience. The aim of this research isto explore the forms and communication strategies existing in agricultural cooperatives and the theoretical approachesused to analyze communication in these companies. It therefore consists of a theoretical study carried out through asystematic review of the literature. Thereby, it is intended to answer the following research questions: whichcommunication strategies are adopted by agricultural cooperatives and which theoretical background gives raise toanalyses regarding communication issues in these organizations