Responsabilidad Social Corporativa y cooperativismo: Vínculos y potencialidades

Abstract

In this paper we reflect on the role of cooperative societies with regard to the new paradigm of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which is to guide business management in the 21st century. Cooperative societies are companies which, owing to their idiosyncratic nature, fit the model of CSR very well, because of the values and the principles characterizing the way in which they work. Moreover, the double (or sometimes triple) status of members as suppliers and/or clients makes it is easier to achieve the necessary balance between stakeholders. Therefore, if the cooperative culture can generate trust as a result of its socially responsible nature, and this is a characteristic that is increasingly appreciated by consumers when deciding to purchase; if its profile as an organization makes its relationship with certain stakeholders more immediate; if all these factors differentiate this type of company from the rest, it can be argued that cooperative societies are in a good position and must value these distinctive features of their business model.Corporate Social Responsibility, Business Ethics, Stakeholders.